The Federal Government has said it was committed to addressing barriers that hinder inclusion and equal opportunity for Persons With disabilities (PWD).
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said his ministry was committed to creating opportunities to ensure PWDs are not only included but are also empowered as active participants in the nation’s economy.
Professor Yilwatda stated this in a statement on Tuesday, marking the International Day of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
“Today, we are honoured to join the global community in celebrating the resilience, achievements, and individual contributions of over 30 million Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
“We in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, place a strong premium on breaking all barriers and creating opportunities to ensure that PWDs are not only included but are also empowered as active participants in our economy to enable them to live independently and with dignity.
“Our targeted social safety interventions, financial inclusion initiatives, vocational trainings for the PWDs, and strengthening of our laws and policies that promote the rights of the PWDs are to ensure that building an inclusive community is not just a promise but reality,” he said.
Yilwatda stated that this year’s theme, ‘Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future’, calls to attention the “invaluable contribution of their skills, talents and the critical roles they are playing in business, sports, education, technology, and many other sectors of our daily life.”
The Humanitarian Minister noted that the collective strength of the nation lies in embracing diversity and tackling challenges confronting the inclusion of all members of the society.
“As we mark this day, we reaffirm our commitment to addressing any barrier that hinders inclusion and equal opportunity. We also acknowledge that our collective strength as a nation lies in embracing diversity. Together, we can build a nation where no one is left behind,” he added.