The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged the Executive Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma to sign the State Persons with Disabilities Discrimination Law.
The Law which is long-overdue is aimed at ensuring the full integration, rights and development of persons with disabilities in the State with an estimated 15% of the population of the State having one form of disability or the other.
The Acting Director, CCD, Godwin Unumeri said this calls for high level of urgency and humanity in addressing the persistent marginalization and exclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the State.
We appreciate the Imo State House of Assembly, the various disability groups, organisations and individuals who have played pivotal role in scaling the disability bill to its final reading and passage by the House of Assembly on the October 16, 2024.
Unumeri said that the CCD commitment to this milestone, particularly under the “Enhancing Inclusive Democratic Governance in Imo State” funded by UKAID as a subgrant from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room carried out various activities urging the Executive Governor to prioritize the domestication of the disability law in his second term.
As highlighted in previous charter of demands and memos we sent to the governor.
“We are requesting the Governor to swiftly sign the Disability Law which is currently at his desk. This singular act will uphold the constitutional rights of Imo people with disabilities; demonstrate the administration’s strong commitment to inclusion as well as foster an enabling society where persons with disabilities can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the development of the State.
“This also will align Imo State with both national and international best practices in disability rights, advancing the State compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2019, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
The CCD is highly optimistic that His Excellency will prioritize the signing of this law, reinforcing his commitment to an inclusive, safe, free, and prosperous Imo State, built on the foundation of good governance as outlined in his manifesto.
As a government of shared prosperity, this action will also serve as a lever to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind.
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is an organization of, and for persons with disabilities that work to promote independent living, human rights and their inclusion in socioeconomic development efforts.
Also, it works to educate, support and empower them and their families to maximize their potentials. CCD was established in 2002 in Lagos and incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja as a charitable organization.