In a stirring call to action, the National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) has urged various stakeholders, including federal and state governments, corporate entities, and affluent individuals, to step up efforts in providing essential wheelchairs and allocating funds to enhance accessibility for their members.
Speaking passionately during a press conference held in Lokoja to commemorate International Wheelchair Day, NAPWPD’s National President, Mr. Rilwan Mohammed, underscored the profound significance of wheelchairs in the lives of millions worldwide.
“Today’s celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the indispensable role wheelchairs play in enabling individuals to navigate the world,” remarked Mohammed. “Despite their crucial importance, many individuals in need are unable to access this vital resource.”
Highlighting the genesis of International Wheelchair Day in 2008, Mohammed emphasized its mission to raise awareness and advocate for improved accessibility and support for wheelchair users globally. He stressed the primary focus on promoting inclusivity and enhancing accessibility on a global scale.
Mohammed urged state governments to expedite the adoption of disability laws and the development of minimum accessibility standards to safeguard the rights of wheelchair users. He further appealed to governments to allocate funds for necessary modifications and retrofitting of existing infrastructure to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
The event also marked the inauguration of a 14-member Kogi State Advocacy Committee of Inclusive Budgeting, chaired by Mr. Idris Muraina Ozovehe of Kogi Non-Governmental Networks (KONGONet). Mohammed charged the committee with working collaboratively to improve the living conditions of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Muraina pledged the committee’s unwavering commitment to delivering tangible results that would positively impact the lives of PWDs.
The occasion culminated in the presentation of a Certificate of Commendation to Alhaji Momoh Jimoh, the Immediate Past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council. This recognition was bestowed by NAPWPD’s President in acknowledgment of the council’s pioneering efforts in providing ramps for PWDs’ easy access.
