The Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers submits Report to the ES of the National Commission of Persons with Disabilities

ABUJA, FCT NIGERIA: October 8, 2024

Address by the Convener of the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and
International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers

On the Occasion of the Submission of the Report to the Executive Secretary
of the National Commission of Persons with Disabilities and commemoration of the 64th Independence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Esteemed Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Persons with
Disabilities,

We extend the heartfelt greetings of the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and
International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, notably:

-Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, President of Equal Rights for Persons with
Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI)and FESTAC-USA, Inc. in
Houston, Texas, and

-Lady Omotunde Ellen Thompson, Life-Chairperson of JONAPWD-National and
the First Disability Desk Office at the Presidency’s Head of the Civil Service of the Federation of Nigeria, along with other distinguished guests.

It is on record that on December 13, 2006, the leaders of the Pioneers were the
Nigeria’s sole official Delegations of to the UN, who represented Nigerians with disabilities and civil society organizations at the international level. As members of Rehabilitation International (RI), Disabled Peoples International (DPI), International Disability Alliance (IDA), International Disability Caucus (IDC), and the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee, we successfully advocated for the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This landmark achievement aimed to protect the rights of over 1.3billion persons with disabilities worldwide, including 35.5 million Nigerians.

Additionally, on March 30, 2007, and September 24, 2010, our members were pivotal in negotiating with Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, respectively, to have Nigeria join other UN Member States in signing and ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, thereby committing to uphold the rights, equality, and dignity of over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities.

Furthermore, the Pioneers, in collaboration with the Kpakpando Foundation, organized high-level meetings on November 8 and November 21, 2018, with the 8th National Assembly. These efforts culminated in the successful passage of the “Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition)Bill,” which was signed into law by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, on January 23,2019.

It is noteworthy that through our direct advocacy and negotiations, in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation of Nigeria and its Disability Desk Office, President Buhari established the independent National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) on August 24, 2020.

In line with the implementation of the National Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018, James Lalu was appointed as the first Executive Secretary. However, it is with great dismay that I must highlight the challenges we faced: disability matters became a laughing stock, with the commission becoming a theater of corruption, infighting, and the persecution of notable advocates. Unfortunately, some of these advocates have passed away during this turbulent period. Governing Council members were prevented from fulfilling their statutory functions as outlined in Sections 32(1) and 37 of the National Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, leading to their dissolution on June 19,2023. Since then, the commission has descended into a farcical state, marred by fraudulent activities, including the forgery of the former Governing Council Chairman’s signature.

On August 20, 2024, upon the new Executive Secretary’s assumption of office, we, the Pioneers, were the first to engage in a strategic meeting. As individuals who understand the mission, vision, and goals behind the commission’s establishment, we are here today to officially hand over our participatory report and to declare that enough is enough. This marks a new era, and we, the Pioneers, will leave no stone unturned; we will monitor all activities of the commission in the spirit of “Nothing about Us without Us.”

The recent conclusion of the 79th UN General Assembly, marked by the launch of “A Pact for the Future,” calls for a realignment of our collective efforts. World leaders, including Nigeria, recognize the need for international institutions to adapt to the rapidly changing world we inhabit. As the Secretary-General has stated, “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”

As concerned stakeholders, we urge the commission, under the leadership of Chief Bar Ayuba Burki Guyfan, to realign its activities with this new global movement. Our voices and needs as persons with disabilities have not been adequately represented in the deliberations of the UN General Assembly and the “Pact for the Future.” Therefore, we are committed to collaborating with the National Commission of Persons with Disabilities to host a Disability-Inclusive Summit of the Future, during which we will pay courtesy calls to UN-Nigeria, and UNDP-Nigeria, and recognize deserving individuals for their contributions.

Through this event, we aim to discuss our challenges and outline pathways for progress toward a better future for PWDs in Nigeria. We also plan to create awareness for the High-Level Inaugural Launch of the Annual POST-UN General Assembly’s Grassroots, Community-Based, Disability/Women-Inclusive, and Accessible Participatory UN Secretary-General’s and USAID-USIP Peacebuilding initiative under the POST-2024 UN Summit of the Future and subsequent Africa Industrialization Days.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

Job Napoleon Agbor ACFE

Convener:

Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers