Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr James Lalu
Over 35.1m Nigerians living with disabilities – NCPWD
National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) has disclosed that over 35.1 million Nigerians are currently living with one form of disability or the other.
Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr James Lalu
Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr James Lalu, who made this during a one-day programme for the issuance of permanent certificates to persons with disabilities in Owerri, Imo State, also stated that only persons with valid disability certificate can obtain and claim remedies under Section 28 of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act, as he harped on the need for all Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), to obtain document.
The NCPWD boss, represented by the commission’s acting Director, Compliance and Enforcement, Mr Ikem Uchegbulam, said that the figure is based on report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), adding that the enlightenment programme was aimed at sensitising persons with disabilities about the benefits of certification, in line with Section 28 of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act.
“While temporary disability certificates could be issued by medical doctors in the event that a person happens to be unable to make use of a body part for some time, permanent disability certificates are issued by the NCPWD.
“In addition to acting as means of identification, the Act has made the certificate legal requirement for obtaining remedy from the law court, hence the need for possession of the certificate.
“A recent WHO report estimates that about 35.1 million persons have disabilities in Nigeria, so, the commission is doing its best to ensure that they have access to all their rights as enshrined in the constitution,” Lalu said.
Remarking at the event, Imo Commissioner for Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, Mrs Nkechi Ugwu, thanked the commission for efforts toward alleviating the plight of PWDs.
Ugwu, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Administration and Finance, Mrs Ozioma Nwigwe, said the Imo Government would continue to champion the cause of persons living with disabilities in the state.
The event was attended by clusters of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, including the visually impaired, deaf and the dump.
