NCPWD Calls For Support For People With Disabilities In Nigeria

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has called for more support and provision of adequate facilities for people with disabilities in Nigeria. 

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. James Lalu, made the call on Saturday at a para soccer novelty match played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, to mark the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Lalu, who was represented by his Technical Assistant, Mohammed Haruna, stressed the need to stop discrimination against people with disabilities.

Haruna, who is also the President of Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), said that the Commission was collaborating with relevant stakeholders to create awareness on the rights of people with disabilities.

“The NCPWD has been doing a lot to sensitise the public on the rights of people with disability and the discrimination against persons with disability (prohibition) Act,”

The act criminalizes discrimination against persons with disabilities.The offense is punishable by a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment, a fine of N100,000, or both.

Earlier, the National President, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Mr Stanley Onyebuchi, stressed the need for more employment opportunities for people with disability.

He described sports as a veritable tool for engaging, empowering and uniting people with disability.

Also, Usman Nahuche, a board of trustee member of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), expressed his gratitude for the support that was given to the annual event and asked for more motivation for persons with disabilities, as they have more to offer.

Abuja Team A defeated Abuja Team B 3-1 in the highly entertaining para soccer match played at the package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.