Obiano finally inaugurates Disability Rights Commission, engages 400 PLWDs

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has engaged no fewer than 400 Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) since the inception of his administration in 2014.

He disclosed this, yesterday, when he inaugurated the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ASDRC) at the Government House, Awka, with his Special Adviser on Disability Matters, Chukwudi Ezewuzie, as Chairman of the board.

Other members are Ugochukwu Okeke, Anambra State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Moses Ezedebego (representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Pat Okeke (Private Sector representative), Willie Umeh (Local Government Service Commission), Mrs. Victoria Okonkwo (Education), Anthonia Obianyo (Social Development, Children and Women Affairs), Eucharia Anaekwe (CSOs), and Tony Oli (Sports Commission).

The terms of reference of the commission include implementing government policies in line with United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, issuance of guidelines for education, social development and welfare of PLWDs and issuance of directives and guidelines to special schools for PLWDs, among others.

Speaking at the event, Obiano said his major interest in engaging the PLWDs stemmed from the need to ensure their protection from harassment and discrimination, inclusion in development and empowerment for economic liberty.

Obiano also noted that his interest in signing the Disability Rights Law 2018 in line with Section 3 of the ASDRL 2018 and inauguration of ASDRC in line with Section 4 was due to his interest in touching lives, especially of the less privileged.

New Chairman of ASDRC, Chukwuka Ezewuzie, who commended Obiano for the move, described the inauguration the governor’s forward-looking thrust and consolidation on most of his legacy projects.
Ezewuzie said the governor like his wife, Ebelechukwu, who runs Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), has a passion to change the lives of PLWDs positively, stressing other states should emulate him.

While handing over copies of ASDRC Establishment Law and United Nations Conventions on Rights of PLWDs as working documents for members of the board, he said Obiano had empowered PLWDs to become self-reliant, breadwinners and nation builders.

Speaking, Chairman of JONAPWD, Ugochukwu Okeke, said through the initiative, Obiano had written his name in gold, adding that Obiano was the first governor in the South East to sign the Disability Rights Law and Establishment of Disability Rights Commission.

On her part, wife of renowned transporter, G.U.O. Okeke, Lady Pat Okeke applauded Obiano for establishing the commission, stressing that it would go a long way in meeting the needs of the PLWDs.