(SINL NIGERIA) The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) has said the vision of the commission is to create an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights of all citizens living in Nigeria.
Specifically, Ojukwu reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment in promoting disability inclusion through the full instrumentality of its robust mandate.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC stated this on Tuesday in an opening remark of a Two-Day workshop on the roles of relevant stakeholders in the implementation and promotion of human rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with the discrimination against persons with disabilities (prohibition) act 2018 and the protocol to the African charter on human and people’s rights on the rights of persons with disabilities held in Abuja.
He said the workshop is aimed at promoting disability inclusion and mainstreaming in programmes and activities of MDAs and relevant stakeholders by identifying their duties and responsibilities in implementing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 (also known as Disability Rights Act) and Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (also known as African Disability Protocol).
Ojukwu, who was represented by Hajiya Rabi Anwar, Director Legal Services and Enforcement said “for us at the NHRC, disability issues are human right issues and at the front burner, reaffirming our vision to create an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights of all citizens living in Nigeria, including rights of persons with disabilities”.
He recalled that the disability rights act was signed into law twelve years after the signing and ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol in 2007 and 2010 respectively by Nigeria, after years of struggle “and despite this watershed for the disability community, the implementation has remained a huge challenge”.
He continued “This is reflected in the not very significant progress made so far on implementation after expiration of transitory period. Nonetheless, the signing and ratification of the African Disability Protocol by Nigeria on the 13th February and 19th October, 2023 respectively, is a positive development and additional milestone for the disability community”.
Ojukwu acknowledged the efforts of the NHRC, Sightsavers, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, together with other relevant stakeholders in pushing for the signing and ratification made it possible.
“Notably, the Protocol addresses specific human rights issues relating to disability that are peculiar to Africa, particularly harmful practices, protection of older persons with disabilities from accusation or perception of witcraft, protection of parents, children, spouses, other family members closely related to the persons with disabilities, caregivers or intermediaries from discrimination on the basis of their association with persons with disabilities among others that are not contained in other legislations” Ojukwu added.
In a goodwill message, Olasoji Adewale, Director, Persons With Disabilities (PWD) who represented the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ayuba Gufwan applauded the NHRC, described the event as significant.
He said the first challenge of People With Disabilities (PWD) is discrimination. “Person ably qualified for a job is denied because he uses wheel chair”.
Gufwan added that the Act 2018 is apt, saying the issue is advocacy for PWD and also provide accessible education.
Others who delivered goodwill messages include, Aliyu Usman of the Joint Association of PWD, Deputy National chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Victor Olaoju and Jake Ekpelle of the Albino Foundation.
