NAPVID tasks FG, international communities to be attentive to persons with disabilities
ABIODUN JIMOH, BENIN CITY
Federal government and international communities have been charged to take cognizance of persons with visible disabilities living among the internally displaced persons (IDPs) across various camps in the country with the view of meeting their needs.
President, Network for the Advancement of Persons with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), Barr. Melody Omosah made the call during presentation of medical items to internally displaced persons at Ohogua, Ovia North-East local government, Edo State.
The presentation of the items was carried out to mark the International Day for Persons with Visible Disabilities celebrated every December 3rd globally.
Omosah, represented by the national publicity secretary, Kingsley Okogie noted that the insurgency in the North-East Nigeria has created persons with disabilities in the country more than ever before.
He added: “The more worrisome is that whenever the issues relating to the well being of those living in the camps are raised, the persons with visible disabilities are completely cut off.
“The insurgency in the North-East, Nigeria is a big problem to the nation at large, but more importantly, insurgency has created more persons with disabilities in our society today.
“It is sad that persons with disabilities are not in the conversation when we talk in the aspect of providing for the need of the IDPs.
“So, we are trying to draw the attention of federal government, international communities and well meaning Nigerians to see that when you are providing for the general need of the IDPs, you must also take into cognizance that there are some people who this war has affected in no small measure.
“Those who as a result of the war has lost their sight, hands, limbs and sense of hearing, you must also meet the specific need of these people.
“Since the country returned to the democratic rule, there is no legislation at the national level to protect the right of the persons with disabilities. Such has shown the lopsidedness in the process and principle of governance.”
However, he called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently assent to the bill for a law to guarantee the social protection of persons with disabilities against any discrimination that they may suffer from and to also establish a national commission for persons with disabilities, just passed by the national assembly.
