The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) has reiterated its commitment to creating a barrier-free and dignified environment for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria.
As part of efforts to enforce the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, the Commission organized a national capacity-building training for security personnel and taskforce officers on accessibility and anti-discrimination enforcement.
Held under the theme “Capacity Building for Safety and Wellbeing of PWDs in Nigeria through Enforcement Modalities,” the programme brought together officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other stakeholders from all 36 states of the federation.
Delivering his keynote address, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ayuba Gufwan, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting its impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians with disabilities.
Represented by the Commission’s Director of Compliance and Enforcement, Barrister Ikem Ochigbelam, Gufwan emphasized that effective enforcement of the disability law is crucial to achieving meaningful inclusion.
“Any law that is not enforced is as good as no law,” he said, stressing that the 2018 Act serves as a lifeline for over 35.5 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
In a message delivered on behalf of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dauda Magaji, the Ministry reaffirmed its support for the Commission’s mandate and commended its leadership for initiating the training. The Ministry pledged continued collaboration to strengthen policies that protect and promote the rights of PWDs.
The training was designed to educate and empower NSCDC Duty Desk Officers and taskforce personnel with practical knowledge on how to enforce accessibility standards and safeguard the rights of PWDs nationwide.