The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Aliyu Toure has called on member countries to emulate Nigeria by ensuring inclusion of persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in state affairs.
He made the call in Abuja at the opening of a two-day capacity building programme for PWDs.
The ECOWAS President said disability inclusion must be taken seriously if member-states want to deal with the challenges of discrimination.
Represented by the Director Humanitarian and social Affairs in the commission, Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, he said the training would empower participants with skills to manage challenges faced by PWDs.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen said Disability inclusion was an investment that all stakeholders must take part in promoting.
Represented by a Director in the ministry, Fuke Oladipo, the minister noted that PWDs encounter various threats and exclusion in the scheme of things; hence the ministry’s resolve to ensure their rights are protected at all times.
Participants expressed optimism that the training would go a long way in helping them overcome the social challenges they encounter because of disability.
Reporting by Hamza Alkali; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade, Abdullahi Lamino and Tony Okerafor