Ebonyi Commissioner Charges Disability Community on Inclusive Leadership, As JONAPW Elects New Executives

By Sunday Nwinne, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Felicia Nwankpuma, has charged the disability community in the state to embrace inclusive leadership as a pathway to unity, growth and sustainable development.

Barrister Nwankpuma gave the charge at their Presco Office, Abakaliki, while addressing newsmen during the inauguration of newly elected executive members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ebonyi State chapter. The commissioner who was represented at the event by the Head of Rehabilitation Department in the ministry, Mrs Ngozi Nweze described the election that produced the new executives as the freest and fairest ever conducted by the association in the state.

She urged the leadership to sustain the spirit of orderliness, peace and cooperation displayed by members during the exercise for the overall interest of persons with disabilities. The Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Comrade Nwambam Sunday Daniel, commended the electoral officers, national representatives and members of the press for their professionalism and support, which, he said, contributed to the credibility of the election.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman of JONAPWD, Ebonyi State, Comrade Christian Friday Nwovu, assured members of fair, inclusive and participatory leadership, stressing that his administration would be driven by unity, teamwork and collective action. He explained that his manifesto, “Network for Collective Change,” is anchored on strong disability rights advocacy and effective participation of all clusters across the state. Comrade Nwovu noted that his leadership would prioritize networking across rural and urban communities to ensure that no person with disability is left out of programmes and opportunities.

He added that sensitization and education would be intensified to help members understand the difference between rights and privileges, while promoting productivity among beneficiaries of empowerment schemes. He also pledged to work closely with government to develop a clear empowerment roadmap that rewards productivity and inclusiveness, describing Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as disability-friendly for his consistent inclusion of persons with disabilities in empowerment programmes. The chairman expressed optimism that the disability bill would be passed once unity is fully restored within the association.

Earlier, the immediate past Chairman, Mr Chieme Odumegwu Franklin, said he was handing over with peace of mind and confidence in the new leadership. He disclosed that his administration attracted over ₦251 million in empowerment support and skill acquisition programmes for persons with disabilities, while appreciating the Commissioner for Women Affairs and other stakeholders for their support.

Other officials elected include Mr Benjamin Igwenyi as Assistant Secretary and Mrs Ebube Chukwu as Social Welfare Officer, among others.