Ojukwu Decries Non-implementation Of Disability Rights Act By MDAs

…As Epelle Calls For Probe Of Human Abuses In Rivers State Crisis

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the Non-implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 by Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, noted that six years after the Disability Rights Act was enacted into law, “the implementation has remained a huge challenge.”

Dr. Ojukwu spoke on Tuesday while declaring open a two-day workshop on the ” Roles of relevant stakeholders in the implementation and promotion of the human rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with the discrimination against persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and and the Protocol to the African Charter on human and people’s rights on the rights of persons with disabilities”, organised by the Commission in Abuja.

Ojukwu’s observation coincides with Jake Epelle, who has been a vocal voice in defense of disabilities rights, expressing concerns over human rights abuses as a result of the protrated political crisis in Rivers state.

Epelle urged the NHRC to beam its searchlights on Rivers and investigate the catalogues of ongoing human rights abuses in the state so as to bring to book culprits and recommend compensation to the victims.

Epelle argued that with the crisis in Rivers state, most persons including those with disabilities have suffered deprivations of their human rights.

According to Dr. Ojukwu who was represented by the NHRC Director, Legal Services and Enforcement, Hajiya Rabi Anwar, “the workshop is aimed at promoting disability inclusion and mainstreaming in programmes and activities of MDAs and relevant stakeholders by identifying their duties and responsibilities in implementing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 (also known as Disability Rights Act) and Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (also known as African Disability Protocol).

“While bringing to our recollection that the Disability Rights Act was signed into law twelve years after the signing and ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in 2007 and 2010 respectively by Nigeria, after years of struggle and despite this watershed for the disability community, the implementation has remained a huge challenge.

“This is reflected in the not very significant progress made so far on implementation after expiration of transitory period. Nonetheless, the signing and ratification of the African Disability Protocol by Nigeria on the 13th February and 19th October, 2023 respectively, is a positive development and additional milestone for the disability community.”

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission to create an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights of all citizens living in Nigeria, including rights of persons with disabilities.

He cited that the Commission has mainstreamed disability in all its activities and programmes through:
Establishment of the Vulnerable Groups Department, Establishment of Desk Official Persons with Disabilities in all the 36 State Offices of the Commission, Compliance with the building code to ensure accessibility at some new structures of the State offices and Awareness creation/sensitization on rights of persons with disabilities in the suburban disability communities.

Others include: A designated parking lot for persons with disabilities, Provision of ramps, functional elevator, Sign language interpreter, Employment of persons with disabilities and Strong relationship with organization of persons with disabilities (OPDs) among other efforts.

Other stakeholders who presented goodwill messages include the Director (Planning, Research and Statistics), Olasoji Adewale, who represented the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with disabilities, Dr. Ayuba B. Gufwan; Dipo Olayoku, Deputy national chairman, IPAC; and Winnie Ishaku who represented the Chairman, Joint Associated of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Aliu Abdullahi Usman, among other stakeholders.