By Eric Ojo
Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) has commended the efforts of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno in ensuring the welfare of persons living with disabilities in the state.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of JONAPWD, Comrade Anietie Jackson gave the commendation while speaking at a one-day capacity building workshop for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
The maiden workshop which held with the theme: “Enhancing Strength Through Inclusion”, was organized by Advocacy for Persons with Albinism Network (APAN) in collaboration with Akwa Ibom State chapter of JONAPWD.
The event, according to a statement made available to the media, was put together to support the goal of the Arise Agenda of the present administration in the state
Comrade Jackson thanked Pastor Eno for being a disability-friendly governor and urged other clusters of disabilities to emulate APAN, adding that JONAPWD is ever ready to partner with them to bring inclusivity to the table.
He also applauded Mrs. Nnene Bassey for redefining innovation and organizing a maiden capacity building workshop for PWDs in the state.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of APAN Mrs. Bassey also hailed the state governor for having the interest of the disability community at heart.
She equally applauded his wife, the First Lady of the state, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno for her unwavering commitment the welfare of the PWDs.
She also thanked God for making the day a reality and expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare for the enablement of diversities in the disability community across the state.
The APAN chairperson said the workshop is aimed at refreshing and strengthening efforts geared towards enhancing the transformational journey to obtain knowledge for meaningful engagement and impactful development as government and citizens, according to her, are meant to work together for the good of the society.
“We cannot give what we don’t have, hence the need to be empowered, network and do a step down for team implementation which I believe, is the key to the change we crave for in the disability community”, she added.
Mrs. Bassey further explained that the workshop seeks to create a dynamic leveraging platform where the disability community are not antagonistic to the government but rather constructively collaborate with the government to promote the positive trajectory and unlock our multifaceted strengths/abilities for an inclusive society.
“We must know our rights as enshrined in the Constitution, learn to speak up when it comes to protecting ourselves but don’t stop at that, advocate to protect/promote others within your community”, she stressed.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, who delivered a keynote address at the event, speaker Also in her address, thanked the governor for demonstrating his commitment to promoting the ideals of inclusion with the approval of N100,000,000 educational intervention fund and the appointment of personal assistant from the disability community.
The commissioner who was ably represented by Mrs. Margaret Edem the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Margaret Edem applauded APAN for planning and implementing this maiden initiative.
She also thanked JONAPWD for embracing change and urged PWDs to indulged in self-investments in order to enable them key into the Arise Agenda of the state governor.
Similarly, the guest speaker and Head of Visual Impaired Education Special Education Center, Pastor Francis Akpan spoke on the modalities and provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Pastor Apkan noted that the UNCRPD provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work involved. He specifically drew attention the provisions of articles 6,8,24 & 25 of the UNCRPD.
In his presentation, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr. Ifiok Ekanem stressed the essence of knowing our fundamental human rights.
Mr. Ekanem disclosed that there are Disability Desk set aside for PWDs in all the 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, to enable them tender their complaints in any case of abuse or violation of their inherent rights, if they cannot reach out via the e-space.
A representative of the Coordinator National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Akwa Ibom State Barr. Mrs. Kufremfon Bassey also emphasized the need for the PWDs to be adequately armed with the knowledge of their rights so that they can demand them when they are abused.
She said it is part of the duties of the Commission and direct responsibility of its Vulnerable Department. She therefore reassured the participants of the willingness and determination of the NHRC to address issue regarding PWDs as stipulated in the Constitution when they are infringed upon.
Also speaking at the event, the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Andrew who was represented by Mrs. Daya Abasi lauded the governor for his all-round commitment to keeping his words.
He thanked the organizers of the programme and extended the greetings from their patron, adding that he is already looking forward for more of such wonderful opportunity to change the narratives.
In a similar vein, Mrs. Enobong Dan, who represented Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation at the event, eulogized the State Government for embracing and promoting the values of inclusion.
She commended the convener, Mrs. Bassey for steps put in place to change the narrative, adding that though being the first of its kind the impact felt is remarkable during the plenary sessions. She also pledged to continue to partner with APAN for an inclusive state.
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rosemary Augustine, who represented the First Lady, the wife of the governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, lauded the team who carefully selected the theme for the workshop. Inclusion, according to her, is a global priority now to ensure no one is left behind.
She did justice to what inclusion means and delved into areas where it is highly needed. She also said she believes brighter days awaits the disability community.
Pastor Eno harped on the need to organize more sensitization workshops in order create the awareness needed by the PWDs. The need to protect Persons with Albinism to avert the occurrence of skin cancer in the Albinism community was also emphasized.
She called on guidance/caregivers to take proper measures/precautions to protect their children by putting protective gears on them from the cradle stage to enjoy the golden era of the Governor Eno and beyond.
