Ramatu Garba
Dr Bisi Bamishe, Executive Director and President of Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), has urged the Federal Government to implement the commitments arrived at during the 2025 Global Disability Summit (GDS).
This, according to Bamishe, would improve the lives of persons with albinism and Persons With Disability (PWDS).
She spoke at a one-day media roundtable organised by the albinism association and funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) on Wednesday in Kano.
The programme has the theme: “To Promote Conversation Around Government For Post- GDS25 Summit To Highlight Nigeria’s Commitment and Call for Full Implementation.”
In her keynote address entitled: “the Role of Media in Promoting and Amplifying Government’s efforts for full and timely Implementation of Commitments made” emphasised the media role in public enlightenment and civic engagement.
“In the context of disability inclusion, the media must educate the public about the rights of persons with disabilities, inform policy developments, and challenge harmful norms that lead to exclusion,”she said.
She highlighted key commitments made by Nigeria at the summit to include inclusive employment, digital communication access, climate action, legal capacity, inclusive education, free health and social protection, among others.
The albinism president called on the media to partner with the association in amplifying the voices of PWDs, to the federal government to ensure that all the commitment during the GDS are implemented.
“Let us build a media movement for inclusion, one that ensures persons with albinism and all persons with disabilities are seen, heard, and prioritised in Nigeria’s development agenda.”
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Abdullahi Ibrahim-Waiya, said that government is working to establish a commission for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
He said that the bill for the establishment of the commission is currently before the State House of Assembly, awaiting passage.
He said the commission would be managed by PWDs, and the state has already introduced free education and empowerment programmes with 2,000 PWDs across all the 44 local government areas to benefit.
Mr Joseph Akuse, AAN Programme Manager, also emphasised the importance of the GDS as a platform for engaging stakeholders to create an enabling environment for PWDs.
He commended government for implementing the 2018 disability law, calling for its timely implementation.