By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall says the UN remains committed to inclusive and equitable society that gives room for individuals to realise their full potential, regardless of any barriers.
He stated this at a UN National Multi-Stakeholder Capacity-Building workshop on Cross-Cutting Approaches and Preconditions for Disability-Inclusive Development in Nigeria, held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to UN report, about 1.3 billion people across the world experience significant disabilities, representing 16% of the world’s population.
In his remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, said that they are gaps in national data on disability, according to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018), 7% of household members aged 5 and above have some level of difficulty in at least one functional domain.
To this effect, he said the UN will continue to making sure all rights of the Disability community are met.
“The UN, as an organisation, recognises the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, which are enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable society where every individual can realise their full potential, regardless of any physical or intellectual barriers they may face. The UN is committed to the full and complete realisation of human rights for these 30 million Nigerians with disabilities, who are mostly women, children, and youth. Fall said.
According to the UN Resident Coordinator, total inclusion can only be achieved when there is an enabling and inclusive environment for all, and the UN is working towards achieving this.
“The UN building was assessed to see how accessible it is to persons with disabilities. I am happy to inform you that we have started implementing the recommendations made by the consultant who assessed the building. These efforts are crucial in creating an inclusive environment that reflects our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. The wise words of Secretary-General António Guterres, said: “We cannot be a platform for change when persons with disabilities cannot access that platform to speak.” I rely on your support to develop innovative ideas during this workshop, which will help us provide persons with disabilities with the platform they deserve in our country. I encourage you to engage fully in this workshop and take advantage of the opportunity to network as much as possible”.He added
Also speaking, UNESCO Representative in Nigeria and the Chair of the UN Disability Interagency Group, Abdourahamane Diallo, noted that the with collaborative efforts persons with Disabilities will be carried along.
“In Nigeria, we have made significant strides, but there is still much work to be done. This training is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to build capacity, strengthen partnerships, and create an enabling environment for disability-inclusive development. It is through such collaborative initiatives that we can ensure that persons with disabilities are not only included but are also active contributors to the social, economic, and political fabric of our nation”. He noted.
On his part, the UNFPA Deputy Representative/OIC
United Nations Partnership on Right of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRD), Mr. Francis Koessan KUAWU
urged government at all levels to show more commitments in addressing issue of persons with Disabilities.
“As a team we are working to ensure improved access to the UN building and facilitating disability disaggregated data that would ensure more responsive programming and mainstreaming of inclusion into our respective work plans.I urge all stakeholders and OPDs present to cooperate with this journey of inclusion. I encourage the Government at all levels, Legislature and the Judiciary, Traditional and religious leaders, and the 4th estate to show more commitment and work towards Disability Inclusion. There should be concerted efforts to go beyond the domestication of both the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 and the VAPP Act into law but also ensure its implementation”.
According to the Executive Secretary of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. James Lalu, emphasised that all hands must be on deck to addressing the challenges faced by the disability community.
Adding that the Disability Commission is always open for collaboration, as he calls for partnership among the UN agencies.
He further said the Nigerian government will continue to do it’s best to ensure the challenges of the disabilities are addressed.
The workshop organised by UN Agencies is aims to enhance understanding of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Nigeria Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, and how to mainstream disability inclusion into designed programmes and activities.
