Benin, Edo – With the signing of the Edo State Persons with Disabilities Law, in 2022, the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), on Friday continued the call on the state government to work out mechanisms for the full implementation of the legal framework.
In a communique issued at its 13th ‘Rights Above Charity Lecture’, to commemorate 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities, NAPVID in collaboration with Joint National Associations of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Edo State, and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) appealed to governor Monday Okpebholo to urgently constitute the Edo State Commission for Persons with Disability.
NAPVID’s executive director, Melody Omosah Esq who presented the communique to the media, maintained that, since the enactment of the law two years ago, the state government was yet to set up the disability commission that will drive the law implementation.
According to Omosah Esq, the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with disabilities: ‘Amplifying the leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an inclusive and Sustainable society,’ aligns with the topic of the 13th ‘Rights Above Charity Lecture’: ‘From margins to mainstream: Implementing the Edo State Persons with Disabilities Law 2022 for an inclusive and Equitable society.’
Omosah emphasized the need for deep sensitization campaigns across the three senatorial district, to educate the people, government MDAs, and persons living with disabilities about the law and how it guarantees their rights.
He charged disability organisations to engage governor Okpebholo-led administration to advocate for disability-inclusive policies, as well as ensure that disability rights are mainstreamed into the state’s developmental programs.
The communique was signed by; NAPVID’s executive director, Melody Omosah Esq; Edo JONAPWD chairperson, Ann Ojugo; former attorney general and commissioner of justice, Prof Yinka Omorogbe; Administrative Magistrate of the Chief Magistrate Court, Anambra state, Ifeyinwa Nasiah Okoye.
Others are, the executive director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), David Ugolor; executive director, Albinism and Disability Advocacy Center (ADAC), Ibrahim Momoh; Ministry of justice, Joan Ikpefan; NAPVID BoT Chairman, Justice Peter Osibor (Rtd), NAPVID BoT member, Osagie Obayuwana Esq.
