In a letter to President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Chike Okogwu, the founder and chief responsibility officer of CARE-Nigeria, has pleaded with him to give people with disabilities (PWDs) first priority in his administration.
In the letter dated April 27, 2023, and addressed to Tinubu, Okogwu also suggested five important ideas to implement while he (Tinubu) was in office.
“Once again, I write you this third letter on behalf of the 30 million people with disabilities in Nigeria,” the letter began. The first was released on January 21, 2022, and it appeared in an editorial. We are happy to have you back after your one-month vacation.
As you are aware, Nigeria has a sizeable population of People With Disabilities (PWDs), who need special care and concern from the government in order to fulfill their full potential. Your historic inauguration as Nigeria’s next president is just about one month away.
To support mainstreaming, accessibility, and inclusion of PWDs in Nigeria and move us towards John Gaventa’s third face of power, or hegemony stage, in his book Power and Powerlessness, I’ve outlined five key strategies that your incoming government can use. At this point, we can allocate resources to everyone.
First and foremost, we require affirmative action laws and incentives to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. In compliance with the 2019 Disability Act, 5% of incoming President-elect Bola Tinubu’s ministers and advisors in the next government must be PWDs.
I’m not lobbying to be one of them, there are many others out there to be brought on board not just for disability’s sake alone but for their capacity and ability to deliver on the job in line with our CARE Mantra of CORE (Courage, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Empowerment). Doing this alone will make all the states, local governments, MDAs, and private sector to do the same and 15% of our hitherto lost GDP will be reclaimed as former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon advised. You will go down in history, sir, in your own unique way, like your predecessor, who was the first to do so.
Secondly, there is a need for policymakers to create and enforce disability standards that enhance public buildings’ accessibility. We need to ensure that public buildings, transportation systems, and services meet the accessibility requirements of PWDs just like the NCAA and FAAN, whom we must commend, are doing a great job in the aviation sector.
Thirdly, the government should prioritize disability-inclusive education through inclusive policies by the Ministry of Education, which will help to provide practical educational infrastructure that promotes accessibility and supports the educational needs of PWDs.
Fourth, the government has to work with and benefit from the large knowledge bases of NGOs, DPOs, and other organisations that offer services to advance the social and economic well-being of PWDs.
Last but not least, the government should give economic empowerment for individuals with disabilities first priority by offering accessible lending options to help them expand their enterprises and strengthen their capacity for self-employment.
I’m not writing as the founder of C.A.R.E. to be given consideration for an appointment, but I feel obligated as a leader and leading disability champion to do so. Let’s all strive for a better future for Nigeria by keeping in mind the value of inclusivity for all and the distinctive contributions that people with disabilities may make to our nation. I appreciate your consideration of my plea,” the letter wrote.
