PWDs Stakeholders Harp On Betta Edu’s Reform Agenda For Disability Community

By Eric Ojo

A coalition of Persons with Disability (PWDs) stakeholders under the auspices of the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, have harped on the need to revisit and implement the transformative projects introduced by the suspended Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.

The minister was suspended in January following public outrage over the alleged diversion of more than N585 million of public money into a personal bank account. The Presidency immediately ordered an investigation into Dr Edu’s ministry.

The movement is led by the Convener, Job Napoleon Agbor, a Critical Stakeholder/Members of All Progressives Congress (APC), Etomi ward in Etung Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State, Nigeria, the Chairperson for the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria (JONAPWD-NATIONAL), and the President, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI), based in the Unites States of America (U.S.A), Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom.

For over 30 years, successive administrations, starting from military junta headed by the Late General Abacha, up to the present democratic depensation in Nigeria, have displayed glaring ineptitude and apathy to the plight of Nigerians living Disabilities, as well as lack of comprehensive understanding and implementation of the United Nations International Treaties, and domestication of National Disabilities Rights Laws.

For instance, Nigeria adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). Nigeria signed this Convention and its accompanying Optional Protocol on March 30, 2007, and on September 24, 2010, ratified them, under the UN Charter and its Treaty Agreement, which Nigeria had signed and ratified on October 7, 1960.

Regrettably, no significant milestone has been achieved in terms of implementation. Meanwhile, the CRPD Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) follows decades of work by the UN to change attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities.

Moreover, the convention takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as “objects” of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as “subjects” with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society.

Within the Nigerian context, this ignoramus extended to the numerous ex-ministers overseeing the affairs of PWDs in the country. Their failures largely stemmed from the lack of professional qualifications in clinical social work, health services, medical practice, clinical psychology, or psychiatry.

Notably, these are fields needed to fully understand a huge constituency of more than 35.5 million Nigerians with Disabilities, including the Almajiris, First Responders, wounded Military personnel, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (Civil Defense), and other law enforcement officers, in addition to those within the family circles.

While justifying their motive for calling on the Presidency to take a second look at Dr. Edu’s legacy projects, the group said until her appointment as minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, none of the former ministers effectively addressed the needs of Nigerians with Disabilities as mandated by the UN Charter and its Treaties agreement signed and ratified by Nigeria, especially its UN CRPD article 4 (4.3).

“Despite her suspension, her legacy continues to impact the present administration’s achievements, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and the holistic development of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations”, the group said in a statement made available to the media.

Her efforts in collaboration with Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, according to the statement, mark a significant step toward inclusivity and empowerment within President Tinubu’s administration.

“Her vision and actions align with the Disability-Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the principle of the UN CRPD article 4.3, ‘Nothing About Us Without Us,’ ensuring that the voices and needs of persons with disabilities are integral to national policy and development.

“On the occasion of President Tinubu’s first anniversary in office on the 29th of May 2024, it is essential to in advance, start highlighting the significant contributions and impactful legacy achievements and projects, programs, and services spearheaded by Dr. Edu, on how her honest efforts would have started making huge and substantial differences in the lives of over 35.5 million Nigerians with Disabilities”, the statement added.

It further noted that her background in clinical healthcare and humanitarian work has uniquely positioned her to understand and address the complex needs of Nigerians with disabilities, adding that her initiatives, particularly At-Risk Children Programme, was developed to become instrumental in addressing systemic neglect and creating comprehensive support systems for marginalized communities, hence nibbling insecurity such as kidnapping, terrorism, communal land dispute, and other social vices that characterized our nation today.

“Through her strategic plans of community-based vocational rehabilitation, job training, self-employment opportunities, and wellness centers, she has laid the foundation for sustainable development and empowerment. Her commitment to inclusivity is further exemplified by her efforts to resolve long-standing conflicts within the disability community and promote peacebuilding initiatives,” nationwide, statement stressed.

The statement equally pointed out that under her short-lived leadership, a number of disability-inclusive grassroots programmes with enduring impacts on Nigerians, transcending President Tinubu’s administration were introduced.

“One significant initiative was allocating 10 percent of all intervention programmes to PWDs significantly enhancing the budget for the Commission for Disabled Persons in Nigeria. She also spearheaded the establishment of 40 modern toilet units for the Alheri Leprosy Colony in Yangoji Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

“Through collaborative efforts with the Federal Government, state entities, and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Dr. Edu’s ministry played a crucial role in establishing transit schools for 11,000 out-of-school displaced children in Niger State. These achievements underscore her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Nigerians, especially those marginalized by disabilities, and her invaluable contributions to inclusive governance”, the statement further explained.