The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ayuba Gufwan, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to inclusive policies for all disabilities, aligning with the current administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Gufwan made this commitment in Abuja during a three-day retreat organized by the Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) for a five-year strategic review meeting. Speaking through Lawrence Idemudia Edelifo, the Acting Director of the Commission, he emphasized that reviewing strategic policies is crucial to meeting the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“This program is vital because without strategic plans, there is no direction. Now that we are reviewing these plans, we can better address the needs of persons with disabilities,” Edelifo stated. He highlighted the commission’s Women and Gender Unit, which focuses on addressing the challenges faced by women with disabilities, ensuring that no one is left unattended.
The retreat also brought together experts to assess the existing strategic plan and provide recommendations on how to better meet the needs of PWDs. Gufwan expressed gratitude for the contributions of the group in addressing the challenges faced by PWDs.
In her remarks, Edeh Catherine Chinyere, Executive Director of VDI, stressed the importance of expert assistance in ensuring that PWDs are included in policy-making. “This three-day strategic plan review retreat brings together staff, the board of trustees, government bodies, and others to evaluate our strategic plan, identify issues, and make recommendations for a broader and more inclusive approach,” she said.
Mazi Chijioke Nwafor, a member of the board of trustees, emphasized that the retreat aims to achieve total inclusiveness. “We hope to achieve full inclusiveness at the end of this review. PWDs want to be included in society, and we must consider them when designing public structures. Our goal is to ensure their full inclusion,” he said.
