Fides Media Living the Faith
By Ikeugonna Eleke
The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has been urged to strengthen established policies set aside for welfare, rights and protection of Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in the state.
Stakeholders of the disability community in Anambra made the call on Thursday, August 17, during an event by the Anambra State Disabilities Rights Commission (ANSDRC) in Awka, the state capital.
Speaking at the event tagged: “The Journey So Far”, the stakeholders called on Soludo not to only strengthen laws that would protect their right, but to take steps to stand by the commission to enable it to achieve its goals and objectives.
Speaking at the event, a former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Mrs Uche Ajuluchukwu, called on Governor Soludo to show a sense of inclusion in his administration, as well as a policy of continuity.
‘It is good that his predecessor (Obiano) made Anambra State proud by domesticating the Disability Rights Law which is in the United Nations Charter. He should remember that we voted for him. It is not good that he abandoned them because no one knows tomorrow.
‘It is not fair that no single Naira was budgeted or released to the commission since Governor Soludo took over. Why did the Anambra State House of Assembly pass the 2023 Budget without including provisions for funding of the State Disability Rights Commission? I am reminding them and Mr Governor to do something about the PWDs and ANSDRC now in case they forgot.
‘Our members are focused on what they are doing. They are people you can trust. The PWDs who have undergone computer training should be recruited as computer and data officers. They are people that cannot be bribed to alter data once it’s genuinely computed,’ Ajuluchukwu stated.
The Disability Rights Commission also celebrated some of her members who had made the state proud in recent competitions.
The medalists included: Esther Nwadika; Mr Celestine Ezeabikwa; Ms Nwachukwu Nneamaka; Mr Okwuchukwu Ugwumadu; Ms Iyiazi Njideka; and Ms Nkolika Nwakile.
The athletes won their medals in badminton, shotput, javelin, weight lifting and others. They won their medals during the National Sports Festival in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The commission also presented certificates to 12 members of the disability community who were trained in Information and Communication Technology, including Miss Chidimma Ajemba, their information officer.
Chairman of the commission, Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, in an earlier address congratulated the medalists, saying they made the commission and Anambra State proud by distinguishing selves in special sports nationally and internationally.