The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities,JONAPWD, Anambra State Chapter has organised a one-day public presentation of abridged Igbo and Pidgin version of Anambra State Disability Rights Law in Awka.

 

In his speech, the chairman of JONAPWD Anambra, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, stated that the major aim of producing the abridged copy was to make it handy, accessible and easy to read by everybody to create more awareness about the law as well as mobilize support for its speedy implementation.

He said they have done several advocacies to relevant stakeholders and carried out sensitization programmes through radio and television with the support from European Union’s RoLAC in Anambra State.

 

He explained that the law seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities and equalize their opportunities in all aspects of life in the society and recalled that the Anambra State House of Assembly on the 13th September 2018, passed Disability Rights bill into law and was assented to by Governor Willie Obiano and commended RoLAC for funding the translation and production of abridged versions copies of Igbo and copies of pidgin languages of the law.

The State Programme Coordinator of Rule of Law and the Anti-Corruption, RoLAC, in Anambra state, Mrs Josephine Ona in her goodwill message,expressed satisfaction with the success story recorded by JONAPWD in space of five years and called for more sensitization and awareness creation on the need for immediate implementation of the provisions of the Anambra State Disability Right Law.

 

Delivering his goodwill message, the chairman of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie represented by the Coordinator of Operations in the Commission Mr Samuel Okoro, thanked RoLAC for the funding and support given to JONAPWD that enabled them to achieve so many success stories for the disability community in Anambra State.

Barrister Ezewuzie also called for immediate funding from the government, private individuals and development partners as it will help keep the commission working effectively as expected.

 

A representative of the Anambra State Association of Town Union, HonourableIkechukwu Oforkansi, promised that he will disseminate the information to other Presidents General through sensitization and assured of their commitment to play their role as it relates to implementation of the law.