The Kogi State Government has intensified efforts to promote inclusion and protect the rights of persons with disabilities with the convening of a one-day sensitization workshop on the Kogi State Disability Rights Law.
The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs, Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem, stated this while delivering his welcome address at the workshop held in Lokoja Monday.
Abdulhakeem who described the law as a landmark step toward eliminating discriminations and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens, noted that the workshop was designed to deepen awareness and understanding of the provisions of the law, particularly among key stakeholders.
He listed the key stakeholders to include Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, development partners, and the media.
He noted that the Disability Rights Law seeks to guarantee the full inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, employment, transportation, political participation, and access to public infrastructure and services.
According to him, the workshop aims to educate institutions on their responsibilities under the law, promote collaboration among stakeholders, encourage the integration of disability inclusion into policies and budgets, and foster positive societal attitudes toward persons with disabilities.
Abdulhakeem added that participants are expected to gain a clearer understanding of the law, develop practical strategies for implementation, strengthen partnerships for enforcement, and commit to removing barriers that hinder the participation of persons with disabilities.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Kogi State Government under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to promoting inclusive governance and safeguarding the dignity and welfare of persons with disabilities.
The Executive Secretary urged participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, and contribute meaningfully to advancing disability inclusion across the state.
The workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for a more inclusive and accessible society in Kogi State.
In his goodwill message, the representative of the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Haruna Usman, emphasized the need for continuous public sensitization on the significance of the Disability Rights Law.
He assured that the Ministry of Justice would continue to support and partner with the Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs in implementing the law, while urging organizations to make workplaces accessible to persons with disabilities.
Also speaking, the representative of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ojochide Gladys Ibrahim, stated that the state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has shown strong commitment to improving the welfare of persons with disabilities.
