By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Personal Assistant to Gov. Hyacinth Alia on Disability Matters, Mr Bem Anshe, has appealed to all the 36 state governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to establish Disability Commissions to assist in championing the cause of people with disabilities which would be handling the needs and rights of people with special needs.
Mr. Ashe who made the appeal on Monday in Makurdi during a consultative meeting with stakeholders said, ” when established, the commissions would be in the vanguard of of pushing for the implementation of all matters relating to people with special needs in the country”.
He lamented that Benue was yet to domesticate the law on disabilities, urging relevant stakeholders to step up the process for its speedy domestication in the state.
He further encouraged Nigerians to look beyond disabilities, and instead, focus on the potentials of the people with special needs, adding that they should work very hard to change the stigmatization associated with disabilities.
Meanwhile, the Director-General (DG), Benue State Bureau of International Cooperation and Development, Mr Leo-Angelo Viashima, said that the governor has already taken steps to domesticate the law and implement other policies on disabilities.
The DG said that 49 policies were to be reviewed, stressing that as soon as work would be completed on it, it would be signed by the governor.
The Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, said that he was working for the passage of the bill because of its importance.
Program Manager, Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Mr Stephen Idoko, said that IFA desires the state to domesticate the act, whether as executive bill or private bill it does not matter. “All we want is for the people with disabilities to know and have their rights taken care of. However, if it comes as executive bill it will make the process easier”.
He encouraged the Media to amplify the challenges of people with disabilities so that the government and other spirited individuals would come to their aid.
The Chairperson on people living with Albinoism in Benue, Miss Jacinta Igwilo, said 10 to 20 people with Albino die of skin cancer monthly in Nigeria, stressing that they needed to be educated on how to manage themselves and take care of their skins to avoid cancer.
Igwilo further lamented that most of the people or children who were albino were out of school because their parents were poor to cater for their educational needs such as buying reading glasses and quality sunshades.
