A lecturer at the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Professor Terfa Adaka, has called for the amendment of the Act establishing the Disability Commission at federal and state levels to promote inclusivity and effective participation. He made the call at a one-day symposium for persons with disabilities held in Lafia to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with participants drawn from across Nasarawa State.
Professor Adaka reviewed existing federal and state disability policies and stressed the need for strong legislative frameworks, noting that policies based only on political will can easily be reversed by future administrations. “We must go beyond political statements. The National Disability Commission gives more powers to the governing board, regardless of the executive secretary. This does not reflect inclusivity. The law should be amended to carry everyone along,” he said.
He urged leaders to prioritise empowerment, infrastructure development and sustainable accessibility for persons with disabilities. He also called on the Nasarawa State Government to give legal backing to policies such as the five per cent employment quota to ensure implementation.
Officials of the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission spoke on government efforts, challenges, while panel discussions featured experts and persons with special needs.
