People with disabilities have been admonished to widen their horizon through robust networking and self- investments.
The Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner For Women Affairs And Social Welfare, Hon. Dr. Ini Adiakpan who dropped this charge during a capacity building for Persons with Disabilities in the state said this was the only way they could key into the Arise Agenda of governor Umo Eno.
Represented by Mrs. Margaret Edem the permanent secretary of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare ,the Commissioner used the occasion to appreciate the Governor for including PWDs in the N100million Education intervention fund.
The workshop with the theme:” Enhancing Strength through Inclusion, organized by Advocacy for Persons with Albinism Network(APAN) ” was organised in collaboration with Akwa Ibom State Joint Association of Persons with Disability(JONAPWD) to support the goal of the Arise Agenda.
The commissioner also acknowledged the appointment of personal assistant from the disability community.
Adiakpan who applauded APAN for organising and implementing the maiden initiative also thanked JONAPWD for embracing the change
In his remarks ,the Chairman , Akwa Ibom State Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities Comrade. Anietie Jackson appreciated Nnene Bassey for redefining innovation and organizing a maiden capacity building workshop for Persons with Disabilities in the State.
The Chairman thanked the Governor Umo Eno for being a disability friendly and urged other clusters of disabilities to emulate APAN,stressing that the Association is ready to partner with them on inclusivity
In her Pastor Patience Umo Eno who was represented by the wife of the Commissioner for Health Dr. Rosemary Augustine described the theme for the workshop as apt , stating that inclusion has assumed a global focus.
Rosemary emphasized the need to be protective as a Person with Albinism to avert the occurrence of skin cancer in the Albinism community while calling on guidance/caregivers to take proper measures/precautions to protect their children by putting them protective gears from the cradle.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of APAN Amb.Nnene Bassey also lauded governor Eno for having the interest of the disability community at heart.
She also appreciated the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State ,Pastor Patience Umo Eno for her unwavering commitment to the Disabilities matters and venerated the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare for the enablement of diversities in the disability community.
She explained that the workshop was to achieve among other things,refresh our synopsis on this transformational journey to obtain knowledge for meaningful engagement and impactful development as Government and citizens were meant to work together for the good of the society. We cannot give what we don’t have, hence the need to be built, network and do a step down for team implementation is the key to the change we crave for in the disability community.
In addition to this, is to create a dynamic leveraging platform where the disability community are not antagonistic to the Government rather constructively collaborating with the Government to promote the positive trajectory and unlock our multifaceted strengths/abilities for an inclusive society. We must know our rights as enshrined in the Constitution, learn to speak up when it’s apt to protect ourselves but don’t stop at that, advocate to protect/promote others within your community.
The guest speaker, Pastor Francis Akpan, Head of Visual Impaired Education Special Education Center, who spoke on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities modalities(UNCRPD). He stated that the UNCRPD provided the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work.
The Assistant Superintendent of the Nigeria 🇳🇬 Security Defense Corp, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr. Ifiok Ekanem uttered the essence of knowing our fundamental human rights. He announced that in all the 31 L. G. As in Akwa Ibom State there are disability desk set aside for PWDs to tender their complaints in any case of abuse or violation of their inherent rights in case they cannot reach out via the e-space. Questions were asked and answered.
The representative of the Coordinator National Human Rights Commission, Akwa Ibom State Barr. Mrs, Kufremfon Bassey explained the relevance of PWDs rights ,so that they can demand for them when abused.
He outlined the duties of the Commission and their responsibilities via the Vulnerable Department and assured of the willingness to address issue regarding PWDs .
The Accountant General of Akwa Ibom Pastor Andrew, represented by Mrs. Daya Abasi lauded the Governor for his all round commitment to keeping his words, thanked the organizers adding that, he was looking forward for more of this wonderful opportunity to change the narratives.