Kogi recently joined the world in celebrating this year’s International Wheel- chair Day with a call by the National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities for the speedy implementation of the National Disability Act by government.
The group also wants Kogi State Government and other concerned groups to reconstruct public buildings for easy accessibility by Persons with Disability. The Chairman, National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPW-PD), Mr. Rilwan Mohammed, made the call during a press conference organized as part of activities to mark the 2023 International Wheelchair Day in Lokoja. Mr. Mohammed who noted that an inaccessible environment shuts one out of the daily activities of life, called for the speedy implementation of the Kogi State Disability law.
The president while appreciating the efforts of the Kogi State Government in domesticating the Disability law in the state, however appealed to the government on the need to ensure immediate implementation of the provisions of the Disability law especially, as those with physical impairments are daily confronted with the challenges of an inaccessible environment. He said the day coincided with International Wheelchair Day, hence the importance of issues of accessibility as it relates to persons with physical disabilities. Mr. Mohammed stated that the press conference was part of their activities under an ongoing project tagged
“Pushing for Implementation of Kogi state Disability Law with Regards to Accessible Buildings and Public Spaces in Kogi State.”
He noted that the project is implemented by NAPWPD and supported by Disability right Fund, in Boston, America. He stressed that the implementation will make public buildings and spaces accessible to persons with physical disabilities. As this cluster of persons are most disadvantaged when it comes to accessibility issues. The President reiterated that when one is not able to access his environment, participation and inclusion in life’s endeavors becomes a difficult task and impossible to achieve. He said the day is set aside for wheel chair users to celebrate the positive impact that the wheel chair has in their lives. It is also an avenue to applaud millions of wheel chair providers, sup- porters and users who make the world a better place and a more accessible place for people with mobility issues.
According to him, the day is dedicated to acknowledging the fact that there are millions of people in the world who needs a wheelchair, but are unable to get one. He noted that it is an advocacy for ensuring accessible physical and mental environment for wheel chair users. In his contribution, the Chairman, Kogi State Board for Disabilities Affairs (KO- SODA), Mr. Arome Ibrahim, appreciated NAPWPD for selecting Kogi as venue for marking this year’s global wheelchair day. He applauded the nation- al body for always putting Kogi State at the fore front of its advocacy programmes.
In his remark, Mr. Samuel Mark, an official of the com- munity, lauded the national body for their keen interest in the state, as well as for their consistent advocacy in ensuring the domestication of the disability law receives the necessary implementation.
