Chinedum Treasure
Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), Programme has called on landlords, religious and traditional rulers as well as other stakeholders to provide Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) right infrastructure and enabling environment to cohabit with other members of the society.
Anambra State Project Coordinator, Josephine Onah stated this on Wednesday in Awka during awareness workshop by Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) with support from RoLAC on inclusion of persons with disabilities into decision making processes and accessibility to public infrastructures and services.
She said PWDs needed compassion and not pity, insisting they could operate as any other person so long as the enabling environments were created.
She said, “Landlords, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other members of the public should be compassionate and not to be pitying the disability community.
“They should do the needful by providing the right infrastructure and enabling environment they need to cohabit with others.
“The law stipulates that certain basic infrastructural provisions should be made to accommodate PWDs. Landlords and others should be deliberate and intentional in factoring such persons and consciously providing the enabling environment for them.
“They should always be recognized as humans and treated with human face and not to be discriminated against or treated in isolation because of their conditions.
“They should remember that there’s ability in disability. PWDs have shown demonstrable commitment to contributing to the society and can operate as any other person so long as the enabling environment is created.”
Chairman, JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke said the workshop was targeted at ensuring that his members were able to live their lives with dignity, independence, and equal opportunities regardless of their physical abilities.
He said, “This is not only a moral duty but also a legal and social one. PWDs represent significant and valuable portion of our society, yet they are often faced with barriers, physical and societal that prevent them from fully participating in public life.
“Religious and community leaders like you play an essential role in shaping the attitudes, behaviors, and policies within our communities. You are not only spiritual guides but also pillars of social influence.
“Your voice is one that is trusted, heard, and respected, making it vital in the movement toward inclusion. We look to you not just for guidance on spiritual matters, but for leadership in addressing the social issues that impact our daily lives.
“We are here to discuss practical ways we can create more accessible environments for persons with disabilities. This includes ensuring that our places of worship, schools, health centers, public transportation, and government buildings are accessible to all, without exception.
“Accessibility goes beyond ramps and elevators. It means ensuring that information is available in accessible formats, that service providers are trained to understand the needs of persons with disabilities, and that the attitudes of our community members reflect kindness, respect, and inclusion.
“But there is more to inclusion than just infrastructure. We must foster a culture of inclusion. Our communities must be places where people with disabilities are not seen as recipients of charity but as equals in every sense. They should be involved in every facet of life—at work, at school, at community, in recreational activities, and, yes, even in our spiritual spaces.
“We are all enriched by the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and talents that people with disabilities bring to our communities. Together, we have the power to change the narrative surrounding persons with disabilities.
“We can advocate for policies that promote accessibility, and we can raise awareness of the importance of inclusion. Through education, dialogue, and action, we can build communities that truly embrace every individual—regardless of ability—and ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities and services they need to thrive.
“As religious and community leaders, you have the unique power to shift perceptions, promote understanding, and lead by example. I encourage you to incorporate messages of inclusion into your teachings, to promote accessibility in the physical spaces you oversee, and to provide support for persons with disabilities within your congregations. Your leadership can make a profound difference.”
Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and member, Disability Rights Commission, Bishop Moses Ezedebego appreciated RoLAC for its support to the JONAPWD, especially with regards to establishing disability rights law, trusting for its implementation.
He stressed the need for advocacy visits for increased public awareness of PWDs, promising to engage the disability community with pentecostal church leaders as well as other community leaders until justice is served them.
Also speaking, traditional ruler of Amanuke Community, Igwe Alphonsus Ezebuilo stressed the need for value to be placed on PWDs through leadership and responsibilities.
He promised to direct construction of ramps in both his palace and community hall.
“The PWDs are creative, they only need enabling environment to showcase their skills. I have a person with disability as member of my cabinet members,” he added.
National Vice President, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Hon Ikechukwu Offorkansi promised to ensure creation and reservation of position for PWDs.
“All the 179 communities under ASATU will have their halls accessible through construction of ramps and providing wheelchair and clutches for PWDs,” he pledged.
Earlier, JONAPWD Publicity Secretary, Ajemba Chidinma said the essence of the engagement was to raise awareness and promote actions capable of enhancing access to religious and public places for PWDs.
“This will involve educating the public to make these places more accessible through provision of ramps, lighting of staircases.
“Create an inclusive society where PWDs can access religious and public places without any barriers to enable them to participate fully in community and religious life.
“Foster inclusive practice by encouraging community leaders and religious organizations to adopt inclusive practices and policies,” she added.
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