Group partners media on domestication of Disability Act in Gombe
Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), says it is partnering with the media in Gombe State to ensure the domestication of Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act.
To this end, IFA officials visited the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe chapter, the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Correspondents’ Chapel.
Speaking during the visit on Monday in Gombe, Grace Jerry, the Executive Director, IFA said the partnership was for journalists to help in advocating the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
“IFA with other stakeholders came up with a project to promote the inclusiveness of PWDs in governance and socio-economic development across Abia, Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States.
“The project seeks to ensure domestication of the Discrimination against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act in the aforementioned states,” she said.
Jerry, represented by Moses Oluwaseyi, the IFA Programme Manager, said the project was also to encourage the establishment of a commission for a speedy and smooth implementation of the Act where it had been domesticated.
She said the media could influence implementation of policies on protecting the rights of citizens, the reason the request for them to increase reportage on issues that relate to PWDs.
“We are also requesting that you provide platforms that create a voice for PWDs in the society.
“They should serve as a pressure group to the relevant government authorities responsible for establishing the Disability Commission in the state through feature stories, reports and media coverage,” she said.
Mr Saidu Malala, the NUJ Chairman, said the move by IFA and its partners was timely in view of the need to ensure inclusiveness of all stakeholders in the development of the state.
Malala said the media would always promote issues that enhance the living standard of all citizens irrespective of status.
The outgoing chairman of PWDs in the state, Ali Goro commended the media for their efforts in promoting issues of PWDs in the state.
Goro said PWDs had a lot to contribute to the development of the state, if provided with the right atmosphere.
He appealed to the media to continue to support PWDs until the Disability Act was domesticated in the state like in other states.
