The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged Gov. Hope
Uzodinma of Imo to domesticate the Persons With Disabilities Discrimination Act in the state.
This is contained in a release signed by the CCD’s Acting Director, Mr Godwin Unumeri and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Tuesday.
Recall that C-Advocate reports that the Disability Bill, on October 16, 2024 saw a final reading and passage by the Imo Assembly and now awaits the governor’s assent to become law.
Unumeri said that the bill, when passed into law, would ensure the full integration, rights and development of persons with disabilities in Imo, who make up an estimated 15% of the population of the state.
He thanked the Imo Assembly, various disability groups, organisations and individuals who played pivotal roles in scaling the disability bill to its final reading and passage by the Assembly.
“The CCD’s commitment to this milestone, particularly under the “Enhancing Inclusive Democratic Governance in Imo State” funded by UKAID as a sub-grant from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room carried out various activities urging the governor to prioritise the domestication of the disability law in his second term.
“ CCD is requesting the governor to swiftly sign the Disability Law which is currently at his desk.
“ This 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 with both national and international best practices in disability rights, advancing her 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)” , he said.
He expressed optimism that the governor will prioritize the signing of the law, to reinforce his commitment to an inclusive, safe, free, and prosperous Imo, built on the foundation of good governance, as outlined in his manifesto.
C-Advocate however reports that the CCD is an organization of, and for persons with disabilities that works to promote independent living, human rights and their inclusion in socioeconomic development efforts as well as educate, support and empower them and their families to maximize their potentials.
The CCD was established in 2002 in Lagos and incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja, as a charitable organisation.
