The Executive Director of the Empowerment Initiative of Persons with Disabilities (EIPWD), Muhammad Abubakar Enagi, has urged the Niger State Government to immediately operationalise the Niger State Disability Commission to tackle the challenges confronting persons with disabilities across the state.
In a statement made available to journalists, Enagi called on the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), relevant ministries, agencies, development partners and other stakeholders to fast-track the implementation of the commission.
According to the EIPWD, Niger State remains the only state in Nigeria’s North-Central region without a functional Disability Commission, despite having a large population of persons living with disabilities.
The organisation noted that many persons with disabilities in the state continue to face difficulties accessing quality education, healthcare services, employment opportunities, social protection programmes and meaningful participation in governance.
It described the establishment of the commission as a crucial step towards advancing inclusion, protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
The group explained that a fully operational commission would provide the institutional framework needed to coordinate disability affairs, monitor compliance with disability laws and policies, promote accessibility, and strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the state’s development agenda.
While acknowledging the state government’s efforts in supporting vulnerable groups, EIPWD stressed the need for urgent action to make the commission fully functional.
“The time to act is now. Persons with disabilities in Niger State deserve a strong institutional framework that protects their rights, amplifies their voices and guarantees their inclusion in all aspects of society,” the statement said.
The organisation added that operationalising the commission would bring Niger State in line with national and international standards on disability inclusion, while offering renewed hope to thousands of persons with disabilities.
It emphasised that the commission represents more than a policy initiative, describing it as a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensuring that no person with a disability is left behind in the state’s development process.