Some stakeholders have decried that, in spite of the requisite laws, persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to suffer discrimination, lack of inclusion, and abuse of their rights.
The stakeholders, which include community leaders, legal practitioners, educators, and health practitioners, expressed this reservation at a seminar for PWDs organised by a non-governmental organisation, Esther Banquet International, in Ondo, Ondo State.
Setting the tone for the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Esther Banquet International, Mrs Anne-Wonder Fasan, said evidence showed that there was little advancement in the inclusion of PWDs in the affairs of the nation, not minding the existence of relevant policies.
Represented by the project manager, Mr Adebola Adebamowo, she bemoaned that the gap was becoming wider as PWDs and special needs families faced obstacles in accessing government funding and support.
She said efforts must be particularly geared towards empowering marginalised groups in Nigeria and ensuring their active involvement in all levels of decision-making.
A community leader in Ondo Kingdom, Chief Ayo Akingbule, said only a few PWDs are considered for political offices, questioning why PWDs can have a ministerial or commissionership position in government.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Bridget Awosika, stressed that, no matter the circumstance, persons living with disabilities must learn skills and be self-employed.
Another keynote speaker, Barrister Moruf Bada, pointed to the 2018 Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act as one that canvases the inclusion of PWDs in the planning, organising, forecasting, and scheduling of buildings.
He charged the government, individuals, and organisations to ensure that PWDs live a life of dignity, respect, and full participation in our society, as it is in several other countries that respect the rights of people with disabilities.
In his own remarks, a senior medical officer at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UNIMED) Ondo, Dr Udi Samuel, advised people with disabilities not to joke with their health or their well-being.
He emphasised the need for them to engage in regular physical exercise to put their bones and muscles to use, saying that unused bones become weak and can lead to untimely death. Furthermore, Udi enjoined PWDs to regularly check their health status and maintain a balanced diet.
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