Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, political office holders and community stakeholders to take active steps toward protecting the rights, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The appeal was made during a community sensitisation programme on disability rights and response mechanisms held in Nkpologwu, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.
The event was organised by JONAPWD with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA in partnership with JONAPWD.
Addressing participants, JONAPWD State Chairman, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, urged stakeholders to move beyond sympathy and embrace meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in community development and decision-making.
He stressed that disability inclusion is a shared responsibility, insisting that “nothing about persons with disabilities should be decided without their meaningful participation.”
The State Vice Chairman of JONAPWD, Comrade Ifeanyi Igwegbe, said the sensitisation became necessary because many persons with disabilities and community leaders were unaware of the provisions of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018.
According to him, “the programme was designed to deepen public understanding of the law and encourage stakeholders to become advocates for disability rights.”
The JONAPWD’s State Legal Adviser, Barrister Peter Muoneke, highlighted key provisions of the law, including protection against discrimination, access to justice, education, employment, healthcare, public infrastructure, marriage, family life and political participation.
He emphasised that opportunities for persons with disabilities should be recognised as legal rights rather than acts of charity, while urging leaders to make public spaces and community activities accessible to all.
The event also featured legal counselling for persons with disabilities and a skills exhibition showcasing products made by PWDs, including agricultural produce, confectioneries, soap, beadwork and other crafts.
Several stakeholders announced practical commitments during the programme, including the representative of the President General of Nkpologwu Progressive Union, Okpala Naco, who pledged to build a wheelchair ramp at the community town hall, expand scholarship opportunities for persons with disabilities and ensure their representation on community committees.
The community’s Public Relations Officer, Ezike Ugochukwu, promised to intensify awareness campaigns on disability rights, while Community Women Leader, Ajugo Amaka Rose, committed to promoting the welfare of persons with disabilities.
The Vice Chancellor of Paul University, Professor Obiora Nwosu, offered immediate admission to any qualified person with a disability recommended by JONAPWD’s community coordinator, Mrs Chinenye Ezendu.
On his part, the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area, Dr Chibueze Ofobuike, disclosed that persons with disabilities had already been included among beneficiaries of the Anambra State Government’s empowerment programme.
He also promised to prioritise them in the council’s tertiary education scholarship scheme, support future JONAPWD initiatives and facilitate the provision of assistive devices.
In a show of support, Ofobuike purchased all the items displayed during the skills exhibition for distribution to participants.
The programme ended with the presentation of copies of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018, to community stakeholders to promote wider awareness and implementation of the legislation.
