The wife of Governor of Anambra State and founder of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), an NGO, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) has called for the sustenance of programmes that promote inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in all socio-economic development plans through conscious recognition of their potentials and contributions in leadership and targeted inclusive empowerment programmes.
Mrs. Obiano made the plea in Awka on the 3rd of December, 2019, in a special message signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Emeka Ozumba, on the official commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
Mrs Obiano stated that achieving inclusiveness in our society requires programmes that encourage shift in the mind-set of the populace from acts of pity to respect based on the understanding that disability is a mere physical condition rather than an impediment. “For instance, we don’t need to be prodded to take cognizance of the physical conditions of People Living With Disability (PLWD) in the designs of major buildings infrastructure, especially in public institutions.
She noted the aptness of the theme for 2019 IDPD ‘Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda’. The theme focuses on the empowerment of persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which pledges to ‘leave no one behind’ and recognizes disability as a cross-cutting issues, to be considered in the implementation of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Mrs Obiano also commended the pacesetting stance of the Anambra State Government in providing employment to Persons with Disabilities and appointment of a good number of them to highest offices in the state.
Mrs Obiano who is a strong advocate of inclusiveness for Persons with Disabilities in all spheres has under the auspices of CAFÉ provided various forms of support, training and empowerment like free prosthetic limbs to over 2000 persons as well as donated free mobility aids like wheel chairs to over 1,800 persons.
The 2019 observance of the IDPD at the UN Headquarters involves an official opening, a panel discussion on new initiatives for disability inclusiveness, and a spotlight event on the theme of ‘Sports for all for Peace and Development’, which presents the opportunity to discuss sports as powerful enabler of peace and sustainable development through the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
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