Issa Aremu, the Director General, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), has called for inclusiveness of Nigerians with disabilities in national development and sustainable development goals.
Aremu made the appeal on Monday in a statement issued to commemorate the United Nations International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).
He stated that the theme for the 2023 celebration of the United Nations day is entitled: “United in Action to Rescue and Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals For, With and by Persons With Disabilities”.
The director-general noted that this year’s theme perfectly aamplies the needs and aspirations of people living with disabilities in Nigeria.
He also emphasised the urgency for stakeholders to collaboratively work harder to make Nigeria more hospitable, conducive and equitable for the about 27 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
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According to him, this provides Nigeria with the opportunity to celebrate its diverse disability community, and strengthen work towards creating a better society and achieving the sustainable development goals.
He reminded Nigerians about the precariousness of workers and Nigerians living with disabilities and the imperative to factor their needs into both the national development plans and sustainable development goals.
Aremu submitted that the foremost national labour institute in Nigeria has been including people living with disabilities in its activities in the past two and a half years under the headship of the director-general.
“There are too many impediments on the path of the people living with disabilities in Nigeria regardless of the fact that the government has established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
“This is in line with Section (31) of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018 and appointed a senior special assistant on disability matters in 2023,” he said.
