By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Tuesday, inaugurated the State Disability Rights Commission, an agency charged with the responsibilities of implementing the 2018 Disability Rights Law.
The commission is headed by Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie as Chairman; Barr. Chinenye Okeke - Secretary (Deputy Director representing Ministry of Justice); Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke representing JONAPWD State Chairman; Mrs Obianyo Anthonia - Director Rehab ( representing Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), and Miss Victoria Okonkwo - Unit Head Ministry of Basic Education ( representing Ministry of Education).
Others were Mr Tony Oli, representing Anambra State Sports Commission; Bishop Moses Ezedebego, representing Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Dr Lady Pat Okeke, representing Private Sector); Mrs Eucharia Anekwe - Director Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (representing Civil Society Organisation focusing on Disability Issues); and Mr Williams Ndidika Umeh, a retired Director of Education and Former Head of Department ( HOD) Education and Social Development Local Government Service Commission.
The governor, while inaugurating the commission, charged them to collaborate with relevant ministries, parastatals or corporate bodies issuing codes and directions for structural design and building so as to make them accessible to and usable by persons living with disabilities.
"Functions of the commission are; implementing government policies in the law in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and all other disability matters. Issuance of guidelines for education, social development and welfare of persons living with disabilities.
"Issuance of direction and guidelines to special schools for persons living disabilities, and issuance of direction and guidelines on all manner of disabilities, preventive or curative exercises, and other functions as stipulated in section 12 (a-u) of Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018," he noted.
He also observed a minute of silence in the honour of Mr Mmaduabuchi Nnofu, a visual impaired and Coordinator of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) in Aguata LGA suspected to have been 'murdered' and burnt by his younger brother, Onyedika Nnofu over a family land.
Obiano said that the suspect was already in the police custody, noting that justice would surely prevail.
On his part, the Secretary to the State government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, eulogized governor Obiano over his passion and love to uplift the plights of the less privileged, which according to him was why he ensured provision of disability rights Law, employment of over 400 Pwds members, appointment of pwd members as permanent secretaries, and others.
In a vote of thanks, Chairman of the Commission, Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, thanked the governor for uplifting the plights of the disability community in the state, assuring that with the commission, more achievements would be recorded even at the end of his tenure because the governor-Elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has the capacity.