By Zainab Bakare
The Benue State Government has assured persons with disabilities of continued support and access to opportunities to participate in community development.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Theresa Ikwue, gave the assurance at a one-day multi-stakeholders dialogue on disability-inclusive participation in climate governance, negotiation and decision-making in Makurdi.
Ikwue, represented by the ministry’s Director, Magdalene Andoor, said the government was ready to support initiatives that promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
She commended the Hope Alive Possibilities Initiative, HAPI, for organising the dialogue and urged stakeholders to prioritise the wellbeing of persons with disabilities, especially women and girls.
“Our ministry is open to dialogue, inclusion and needed partnership to promote people with disabilities,” she said.
Speaking earlier, HAPI Executive Director, Aver Akighir, said climate-related emergencies could create additional barriers for persons with disabilities.
She noted that early warning messages may not be accessible to deaf persons, while emergency shelters may be difficult for wheelchair users to access.
Akighir urged governments, civil society groups and organisations of persons with disabilities to move from consultation to meaningful participation in climate-related decisions.
She also cited the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stressing that laws must translate into practical inclusion.
In her goodwill message, Civil Society Organisation Zone B Coordinator, Blessing Adzege, represented by Moses Makere, urged stakeholders to give persons with disabilities a genuine role in climate policy, implementation and decision-making.
