From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People With Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), Edo State Chapter, Melody Omosah, has tasked government at all levels to implement policies that guarantee the safety and well being of children with disabilities across the country.
He made the call while speaking on the theme, “Policy to Practice: The Realities of Inclusion” as part of the association’s activities to commemorate the 2025 Children’s Day Celebration in Benin.
Omosah said that Nigeria has strong laws protecting children with disabilities, including the Child Rights Act, the Disability Rights Prohibition Act, and the Universal Basic Education Act, and they must be well harnessed for the wellbeing of all because laws are only as powerful as their implementations.
Omosah pointed out that for the laws to be more effective, urgent action is needed to translate policy into meaningful change in classrooms, clinics, and communities so that action is taken to end violence against children with disabilities and to advance inclusive education systems where every child, regardless of ability, is seen, heard, and empowered.
While speaking on the topic, “Creating Disability-Inclusive School,” an Associate Professor, Faculty of Law University of Benin, Dr Anwuli Ofuani-Sokolo, said Nigeria’s commitments from international treaties like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the updated 2023 National Policy on Inclusive Education must go beyond access.
Dr Faith Edebor, from the Vivian Sexual Assault Referral Centre, while also speaking on: “The Hidden Crisis: Gender-Based Violence Against Children with Disabilities”, said children with disabilities face higher risks due to communication barriers, isolation, and harmful stereotypes.
In her goodwill message, Uchenna Florence Nwokedi of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), advocated that children with disabilities should be named and included in every developmental plan and child-focused policy.