From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Ministers in Charge of People with Disabilities in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have adopted the ECOWAS Action Plan on the Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities.
Speaking after a two-day meeting in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mohammed Abba Isa, said the regional action plan is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is championing inclusivity.
Isa also said with the adoption, the sub-region has aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, the Sustainable Development Goals and in line with all the treaties.
“So, you can see the vertical and horizontal governance alignment in the policy which is the greatest challenges that we had. And this adoption of the regional action plan will give us a guide so that we can be implementing in the same direction,” Isa said.
Isa further said with the adoption, People Living with Disabilities and Special Needs now have access to provision of healthcare services, inclusion in policy, plan and programmes in all the ministries.
“Whatever they are doing, they should include Persons with Disabilities and they should reserve a certain percentage,” Isa also said.
Isa added that Disability Right Act mandated all the Ministries, Agencies and Departments, to reserve five percent employment opportunities to People Living with Disabilities and ten percent to all social interventions.
“This is a clear statement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He gave that mandate.
“So, this regional action plan has come at a time when in Nigeria, we are at the implementation stage of our policy for Disabilities and Inclusion Development,” Isa further said.