UNGA79: Stakeholders rally Nigeria behind disability, AI, women issues

Country Advocacy Coordinator, Sightsavers Nigeria, Esther Bature, has called on leaders across the board to champion the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), at the forthcoming 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Week.

She made the call at the official unveiling of a Rights Advocacy Campaign Mural by Sightsavers to bring to bear the plight of young persons with disability in Nigeria, with the aim of giving them a voice at the decision table, yesterday in Abuja.

Bature noted that the forthcoming UN General Assembly was an opportunity for global leaders to deliberate on progress and implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as the summit would deliberate on giving youths with disabilities a voice.

“We are focusing on the voices of young persons with disability. We believe that young persons with disability have a lot to bring to the table if given a space on the table to be a part of critical conversations that has to do with them,” she said.

She also said that the mural would be showcased at the UN General Assembly for Nigeria.

Secretary General, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Chris Agbo, called for the full implementation of the disability law in Nigeria to enable persons with disabilities enjoy their rights.

A member of JONAPWD, Benjamin Isaac, pointed that inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making would enable them highlight their challenges with towards addressing them.

IN another development, the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, has emphasised the importance of AI grants and women’s empowerment for Nigeria’s sustainable development.

He spoke at a roundtable, themed “Sustainable Investment, Grants, and Intervention,” organised by Merited Negotiating Consulting in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), AIGrants, USA, among others.

Idris expressed gratitude to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria for hosting the event, stating, “This initiative will help turn the fortunes of Nigeria around. Subnational governments can achieve their full potential through such collaborations.”

Idris underscored the need for AI grants to drive sustainable industrialisation across agricultural value chains.

The governor said: “The advent of Artificial Intelligence in all walks of life is a race in which we cannot be left behind.

The governor also stressed the role of women in Kebbi’s development, saying: “My administration is committed to SDG 5 and all our policies and legislation is committed to ensuring women’s protection and participation for economic growth and development.”