Assenting to Disability Rights Bill Will Tackle 95% of Our Challenges – Ebonyi JNAPWD Chairman

The Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JNAPWD), Ebonyi State chapter, Mr. Chieme Odumegwu, has said that the signing of the Disability Rights Bill into law would address over 95 percent of the challenges facing persons with disabilities in the state.

He explained that once assented to, the bill would guarantee equal rights, access to public services, and protection against discrimination, thereby promoting dignity, inclusiveness, and participation of persons with disabilities in all sectors of society.

Mr. Odumegwu made this known in Abakaliki while speaking with journalists during the birthday celebration of the Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs. Ann Aligwe in her Abakaliki resident.

He noted that the bill, packaged as an executive bill, had already scaled second reading at the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and was awaiting the governor’s assent. While commending Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his people-oriented policies and programmes, the JNAPWD chairman expressed gratitude to Mrs. Aligwe for her humane approach to governance, which, according to him, has greatly impacted the lives of persons with disabilities in the state.

Earlier in her remarks, the Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Mrs. Ann Aligwe, appreciated Governor Nwifuru for his humanitarian leadership. She said the administration’s focus on the People’s Charter of Needs prioritizes the welfare of all, including the less privileged.

“You can see that God didn’t make a mistake by placing me in charge of human affairs in the Ministry of Human Capital Development. He said we should touch the lives of the vulnerable, the poor, and the sick. Under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, we are mandated to care for the welfare of Ebonyians, lift the vulnerable, give them hope, and build stomach infrastructure,” she said.

Mrs. Aligwe, who also linked the celebration to the International Humanitarian Day, stated that true festivities go beyond merriment to include giving, caring, and uplifting others.

“Yesterday, our Izzi people celebrated the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival, but I told my ward members that today would be our own celebration of International Humanitarian Day,a day to feed the people, support the vulnerable, and show love to the less privileged. That is why you can see the lame, blind, dumb, and deaf here today rejoicing with us,” she added.

The event featured mass service led by the Catholic priest and founder of Nso n' Agha Adoration Ministry, Rev Fr. Kenneth Nomeh, sharing of gifts, food, and cutting of cake.