Ikpeazu makes case for disabled over discrimination

Wife of Abia State governor, Nkechi Ikpeazu, has called on employers of labour to stop all forms of discrimination against People With Disabilities (PWDs) and also for relevant authorities to introduce and enforce disability welfare package for workers who suffer irreversible injuries in the course of duty.

Ikpeazu, who made the call weekend in Umuahia, the Abia State capital when she held a special end of year party for the disabled in the state, noted that statistics had it that about 22 million people were living with one form of disability or the other, adding that the number had continued to increase due to terrorism and accidents.

She disclosed that her office ran a programme recently to capture the data of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), while a quite number of persons with disabilities showed up for the exercise.

The Abia first lady noted that the bright side of it was that Nigeria had succeeded in defeating the dreaded polio disease that had rendered many children immobile.

Ikpeazu appealed to lawmakers to hasten up the passage of the legislation that protects the physically challenged persons in the society.

According to her, this law would stop some unscrupulous Nigerians from abusing disabled persons and also using them to beg and solicit alms.

“There is also need for relevant authorities especially the legislatures, Building regulators and other stakeholders in the construction industry to introduce and enforce building codes that would enable people with disabilities gain access to public buildings without much hindrance,” said Ikpeazu.

She admonished the disabled persons not to allow their situation overwhelm them but to always seek out ways of improving themselves adding that there abound in the society examples of people who have conquered physical disabilities by developing special skills for doing things above and well beyond those who are physically complete.

She gave special recognition and commendation to disabled athletes who over the years have made Abia proud by winning Laurels in various local and international competitions. Those who were included Obioma Aligekwe, Samuel Ekeoma, Charles Madubuko, Tony Uloma, Blessing Nwakanma Joy Nwogu, among others.

The highlights of the occasion were the distribution of food items, detergents, condiments, soaps, 200 crutches and 100 wheel chairs to the disabled by the wife of the governor.