EU, CBM, launch 3-year disability project in Delta, Benue

The EU and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) have launched a three-year disability project to enhance inclusive development and sustainability for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Delta and Benue states.

Ms Winifred Aohu-Egbuson, the EU Delegation Programme Manager for Civil Society, Youth and Human Rights, said this on Monday in Abuja at the launch of the Disability Rights Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development (D-RAPID).

Aohu-Egbuson said that the project was targeted at empowering stakeholders to enhance inclusiveness in the society, workplace and health sector aside others, in both states.

“The newly launched project co-funded by the Christian blind mission is being implemented in Delta and Benue states by The Abino Foundation (TAF) Africa and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund.

“For us in the EU, human rights is one of our core and major principles and a value that we promote across the world.

“The EU believes that disability inclusion is a part of human rights and a mandate that should be upheld across sectors, hence the support to ensure that disability inclusion is made possible in these states,” she said.

The EU representative said that the D-RAPID programme would also empower government stakeholders such as the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWDS).

“The aim is to build the capacity of the stakeholders to ensure disability is included in all government programmes and policies,” she said.

Aohu-Egbuson said that the three years programme which started on March 3 would end in March 2028.

She said that measures were being put in place to sustain the programme and to accommodate more states based on the progress made from the two pilot states.

Mr Omoi Samuel, the CBM Nigeria Country Director, said that the project launch was apt, especially since the moratorium period for the implementation of the National Disability law had elapsed.

“Primarily this project is to support the implementation of the Discrimination of Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act.

“The law is exactly six years, the moratorium period for implementation has elapsed and yet the implementation across the country is far from where it should be.

“Though little progress has been made, we believe more can be achieved.

“With the support of the EU, we are optimistic that more would be achieved especially in the pilot states, and later in other states,” he said.

Samuel said that the project would create the necessary awareness needed to enhance implementation of the law.

He said it would also empower stakeholders with technical capacity to advocate for disabilities inclusion in government plans, programmes and policies.

Mr Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWDS) commended the EU and CBM for their initiative in advocating disabilities inclusion in Nigeria.

Gufwan said that the project was a step in the right direction as it would have a significant impact on the PWDs in the states.

Mr Micheal Odie, Director of Rehabilitation, Community Welfare and Social Development, Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, commended the EU and its partner for choosing Delta for the D-RAPID pilot project.

“Delta state is making efforts through the women affairs to ensure inclusiveness in the state.

“We have several programmes focusing on persons with disabilities and the bill protecting them has been passed.

“With this project being implemented in the state now, we believe it would also enhance the work already being done while barriers limiting PWDS from inclusion would be completely eradicated,” Odie said.

Mr Saater Tiseer, the Minority Leader, Benue State House of Assembly, also lauded the initiative of the EU and CBM in implementing the project in the state.

“It is a step in the right direction.

“We believe that this project will be impactful especially in the aspect of technical support for government stakeholders in including disabilities in their plans, programmes and policies.

“It will also give persons with disabilities in the state a sense of belonging and motivate them not to relent in their struggles for inclusion in every sector,” Tiseer said.