2023 IDPD: Coalition Advocates Social Inclusion for Disabled Persons
By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi
A coalition of People With Disabilities (PWDs) has appealed to the general public to always associate and relate with them as normal human beings, in their day-to-day activities.
Their appeal was made during a colourful event to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which was held today in Abuja.
The theme for IDPD 2023 is: “United in Action to Rescue and Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) For, With, and By Persons with Disabilities.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Civil Service Association of Persons with Disabilities, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Chapter, Mr. Daniel Isiuwe, emphasized that PWDs should be embraced, accepted and equally enjoy all the rights being accorded to other members in the society.
“It is good to socialize with PWDs, we should be accepted in the society and be given the opportunity to live a life like any other person,” he said.
Mr. Isiuwe enjoined his fellow members to always remain strongly united in their quest to realizing a just and promising life.
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He said; “We should always strive to establish a good functional networking scheme where we will help each other, be our brothers and sisters keepers, which is requisite for attaining our goals in this life.”
While making his paper presentation, Dr. Ebifa Eni, emphasised that the United Nations has since recognized the importance of PWDs, hence the declaration of the day in order to celebrate and show them the kind of love they deserved.
“There are also talents among PWDs and they use this ability in boosting the productivity of the society across various developmental sectors for the benefit of the entire humanity,” he said.
While contributing to the session, a disabled person, Miss Ozioma Obioloke, who is also a Psycho-Spiritual Therapist, dwelt on the right attitudes and ways through which PWDs can surmount their physical challenges.
“We the PWDs have our strengths and weaknesses and if you happen to encounter anybody with a particular challenge, try to direct him on the appropriate channel in getting the kind of help he needs to exit out of that situation.”
IDPD is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.
Celebrated every December 03 around the world, IDPD mobilizes support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, promotes awareness-raising about disability issues and draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.
