The President of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Mr Rilwan Abdullahi, has called for a fundamental shift in commitment, solidarity, financing, and actions in support of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Abdullahi made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday in Kaduna.
He added that it was also critical to include the views, needs, and priorities of PWDs while developing programmes affecting them.
“PWDs are not heroes and are not victims; we are agents of our own destiny seeking an equal place in the Nigerian project.
“This is a call to action, to redouble efforts to rescue and achieve the SDGs for persons with disabilities,” he said.
According to him, the tale of people with disabilities is one of struggle, tenacity, resilience, grit, and never giving up in the face of adversity.
He said that celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 will not immediately end discrimination against PWDs in Nigeria.
The president also noted that the position of people with disabilities has improved in recent years, with the passage of the National Disability Act and certain subnational disability laws across the country.
He said Nigerians should use the International Day for PWDs as an occasion to reflect on what has been accomplished as well as what remains to be done to improve the lives of PWDs in the country.
