The International Day Of Persons With Disabilities is an annual observance proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly to mobilize support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, promote awareness-raising about disability issues and draw attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.
Correspondent, Amaka Chibuzor Okoye sampled people’s opinion on the significance of the day and reports that International day of persons with disabilities being celebrated every third of December was mapped out to uphold human rights, peace and security essential to the promise of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development so as to live no one behind.
Reacting to the significance of the day, the Special Adviser to the Governor On People Living With Disabilities, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie said that the day was mapped out to focus on the plight of persons with disabilities noting that this year’s theme points to the fact that there are many people who live with Disability even though their disabilities may not be visible to the necked eye.
Barrister Ezewuzie extolled Governor Obiano for all his benevolence towards people with disabilities noting that despite the economic recession he made history by including persons with disabilities in the 2021 budget.
In their separate speeches, the State Woman Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mrs Gloria Udevi, and the Head of Department Rehabilitation, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Amaka Onyali, said the governor’s wife through the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has in the past trained over hundred physically challenged persons in various skills such as Soap making, hairdressing, bead making, shoe making, tailoring and catering.
They said that the graduates from the skill acquisition program were empowered with necessary equipment including Sewing machines, hairdryers, beads, generator sets and electric ovens even as they pointed out that she has built houses for the vulnerable and provided those who have cleft lips with medical assistance among others.
The State Chairman, Joint National Association Of Persons With Disabilities, Mr Ugochukwu Okeke noted that the state is first to ascent to persons with disabilities law which aims at stopping all discrimination and marginalisation being meted upon them and to bring them at par with others.
This year’s theme is “Not all Disabilities are Visible”.
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