The governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has inaugurated the Disability Commission in the state. During the inauguration, Obiano charged members of the commission to collaborate with relevant ministries, parastatals and corporate bodies in the state.
He also assured people living with a disability that all public buildings in the state would be structured and designed to make them accessible and usable by persons living with disabilities.
He said, “Functions of the commission include implementing government policies in the law in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and all other disability matters. Issuance of guidelines for education, social development and welfare of persons living with disabilities.
“Issuance of direction and guidelines to special schools for persons living with disabilities, and issuance of direction and guidelines on all manner of disabilities, preventive or curative exercises, and other functions as stipulated in section 12 (a-u) of Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018.”
The commission is headed by Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie as Chairman; Barr. Chinenye Okeke – Secretary (Deputy Director representing Ministry of Justice); Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke representing JONAPWD State Chairman; Mrs Obianyo Anthonia – Director Rehab ( representing Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), and Miss Victoria Okonkwo – Unit Head Ministry of Basic Education ( representing Ministry of Education).
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Others include Mr Tony Oli, representing Anambra State Sports Commission; Bishop Moses Ezedebego, representing Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Dr Lady Pat Okeke, representing Private Sector); Mrs Eucharia Anekwe – Director Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (representing Civil Society Organisation focusing on Disability Issues); and Mr Williams Ndidika Umeh, a retired Director of Education and Former Head of Department ( HOD) Education and Social Development Local Government Service Commission.
In a vote of thanks, Chairman of the Commission, Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, thanked the governor for uplifting the plights of people living with disability through the provision of employment, disability rights law, and others.