Governor of Enugu state,Dr
Peter Mbah has inaugurated the Board members of the Enugu state Persons with Disabilities Commission,to provide full integration of persons with disabilities in the society.
Performing the inauguration on Friday in Government House, Enugu , Governor Mbah said the Commission is vested with the responsibilities for their education, healthcare, economic and civil rights for connected purposes.
Representative of the state governor and secretary to the state government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, who performed the inauguration said, Governor Mbah has been speaking about this and also engaging with the community for a period of time now, and “we have planned to set this up, but for some reason or the other, it’s been delayed to this time.
Board members with the SSG,Prof Chidiebere Onyia.
‘This is a very important board for us to constitute, and we have carefully gone through the list of individuals to include here, and the individuals selected here are people with credibility, people that we understand, we follow through with some of the objectives that I will speak today for.
“So I’d like us to all note that the board members of the Enugu State Persons with Disabilities Commission are appointed to provide strategic guidance and oversight on the implementation of the Commission’s mandate to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities in Enugu State.
Some of their key responsibilities include ,”the formulation and implementation of policies and guidelines appropriate for the education and social development of people with disabilities.
“Prepare schemes designed to promote the social welfare of people with disabilities, and the estimated cost of implementing such schemes.
This board will promote and improve the general social well-being of people with disabilities by encouraging the public to change their attitude towards people with disabilities.
During the inauguration .
“They will also undertake measures to ensure that people with disabilities have the requisite knowledge and qualifications to embark on a multi-variety of opportunities, enlightening the public to encourage people with disabilities.
“So there will be a big public awareness attached to this,
I’m sure when the board sets up, you people will set out who oversees the strategic communication aspects of it.
“Collect data and records on special education of people with disabilities, which shall be a regular exercise so that people with disabilities are identified and enumerated for planning and treatment. Ensure that all facilities in each community all over the state shall be built or modified where and when feasible to accommodate special needs of people with disabilities.
And we have started this with the design of our smart green schools to ensure that there are ramps to accommodate all learners, even for those that will have to have their classes upstairs. We have also designed our type 2 primary health care facilities to also ensure that there’s accessibility, that nobody feels disenfranchised because of the design of architecture. So we’re very intentional about it, but this board will continue to suggest other ways that can be improved upon, especially our historical infrastructure in the state.,” he said
The Governor tasked the commission on monitoring, evaluation, and realization of government policy objectives on persons with disabilities.
” Facilitate the procurement of scholarship awards for people with disabilities up to the university level. So we engage with communities, groups, and engage with government entities to see that they have opportunities to go to school, especially when we expect them to compete meritoriously in every opportunity that comes up.
“They will have to have the requisite knowledge. So the next objective for this team is to establish and promote inclusive schools, vocational and rehabilitation centers for development of people with disabilities.
“The next is to liaise with the public and private sector and other bodies to ensure that the interests of people with disabilities are taken into consideration in every government policy, program, and activity.
“The next is to issue an insignia of identification to people with disabilities. So you will think about that in such a way that it does not stigmatize them. So this is very important.
The team will have to think about this very carefully. So we don’t want to move from one problem to the next because of the way we designed our insignia, thereby stereotyping them. That’s not what we want.
“So the next is in collaboration with other relevant government agencies and professional bodies in the building industry. Enforce compliance with public building regulations and impose necessary sanctions and make appropriate orders. Receive complaints from people with disabilities on the violation of their rights.
“Of course this is a very big one. You just don’t receive and keep it. You have to receive and be ready to engage in a constructive way, not become activists.
“So the next is support an individual’s right to seek redress in court and in investigation. That’s why we have the secretary as a legal person, the SSA for Legal and Interministerial as the secretary of the board. Next is what this government always pushes very strongly.
“Ensure research, development and education on disability issues and disabled persons. Collaborate with the media to make information available in all accessible formats for people with disabilities. And finally, procure assistive devices for all disability types,” he said.
The board membership shall be for a period of four years, subject to renewal or termination as provided for in the commission’s enabling law.
The members are the president. Ezeh Jude .Other persons that will cover each of the senatorial zones will be Deacon James, Ofobuike, , covering for Enugu East.
Enugu West, Madu Victoria. and Enugu North, Nweke Nkechinyere Helen. .
The representatives from the various ministries include the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Juliet Nkiruka Ogwonta.
Ministry of Health, Mrs. Anne Oguejofor Director PRS.Ministry of Education, Mrs. Esther Nwoga, Director of Enugu Educational Resource Services, Disability Inclusion Education. Ministry of Youth and Sports, Victoria Isiuwu.
Ministry of Housing, Martin Mbah
Ministry of Transport, Helen Agu. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Engineer Chinwe Nkwu. Ministry of Labour and Employment, Henrietta Amaka Okonkwo. Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Fidelia Udeonu. Mrs. Eucheria Chioma-Ugwu, Retired Permanent Secretary. Representatives from the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, Festus Onyebuchi Mbah.
Representatives from the National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Kate Ede.
Representatives from the Christian Association of Nigeria, Fidelis Mba Ngbaka, the Executive Secretary Juliet N. Okonkwo.
Speaking on behalf members, the president,Ezeh Jude appreciated Governor Mbah for appointing them
“It’s actually timely, you know, considering our report. His Excellency has been so committed in areas of people with disabilities, and right from the beginning, that was why it was important to inaugurate and create an office for Director of Campaign for Persons with Disabilities to represent his interests during the campaign activities.
” I was privileged to be the Director of that very position. And ever since then, he has actually told me so many things he has in mind, you know, concerning people with disabilities. And I know him as a man of his word, and his advantage in it.
“I want to appreciate him, you know, on behalf of the members of the disabled community in Enugu State. I also want to assure the government of Enugu State that this responsibility given to us will not fail. We do have our responsibility to ensure that the goals and objectives of the government, especially in line with tomorrow’s agenda, is possible to come to pass,he said..
Ezeh also appreciated the Commissioner for Children,gender and social development,Mrs Ngozi Enih for her commitments, her passion on persons with disabilities.
Encouraging people with disabilities tEzeh said,”the time is here. Tomorrow is here. And, you know, this time, we have a cause to smile.
