By Valentine Amanze
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria for setting up the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019.
It also hailed him on the composition of the governing council of the new commission.
The APC made the commendation in a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, at the weekend.
It said that it was grateful to the president for the appointment of Mr. James Lalu as the commission’s executive secretary.
“Indeed, this is a welcome reward following many years of struggle by the Disabled Community in Nigeria for a Commission,” it said, while recalling that Buhari signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019 following many years of relentless advocacy by disability rights groups and activists.
Besides, the ruling party disclosed that it had been at the forefront of including and mainstreaming marginalised groups in governance and other facets of the nation’s life in collaboration with the federal government.
It said that the president’s establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and subsequent appointment of deserving officials to run the commision was a laudable step in empowering Persons with Disabilities.
According to it, “The APC remains a home for Persons with Disabilities giving them hope in party politics and governance.”
The party however commended the passion of the supervising Minister, Haj. Sadiya Umar Farouq, for championing disability inclusion in governance by reserving 10% opportunities in N-Power and Minister of Labour for approving 10% in the ongoing public world programme of the Buhari administration. Lalu is member, representing Persons with Disabilities in the APC Caretaker Committee/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee.