…. Demands for immediate stoppage of PWDs Persecution and 4 years Forensic Audit of the Commission
~ By Voice of the Voiceless for PWDs, Job Napoleon Agbor
Today marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward disability inclusion and civil rights. It is the fourth anniversary of establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), founded on August 20, 2020, by Muhammadu Buhari, the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This year, the NCPD embarks on a new chapter with the inauguration of Hon. Chief Barr Ayuba Burki Gufwan as the new Executive Secretary.
The previous administration of the NCPD, was marred by controversy and discontent. Allegations of infighting, impunity, corruption, unconstitutional, unethical and immoral practices have plagued the disability community, exacerbating repression, retaliation, persecution, toxic, stressful, traumatic and even torture of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to death.
The community now looks to Hon. Chief Barr Ayuba Burki Gufwan to steer the Commission back on course and restore sanity, trust and integrity.
In a show of solidarity and support, the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, led by Lady Omotunde Ellen Thompson, paid a courtesy visit to the new Executive Secretary. Lady Thompson, revered as the Mother of Disability Civil Rights Movement in Nigeria, was accompanied by a delegation that included notable figures such as Dr. Lengnen Jurmang, Executive Director of the Plateau State Disability Civil Rights Commission; Mr. Hosea K. Bitrus, a frontline advocate for the Plateau State Disability Rights Law of 2005; Mr. Shindol Aaron Adamu, State Chairman of Plateau State JONAPWD; Engineer Ernest Anozie, Disability Desk Officer in the Federal Ministry of Commercialization, Innovation, and Digital Economy and Makop Masok who happened to be right standing advocate noted for boldness in speaking truth to injustice irrespective of whose ass is gored. Master Nuhu, who is one of our at Risk child was also in attendance.
Also present was Job Napoleon, known as “Hurricane,” who serves as the convener of the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disability Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, President of the Voice of the Voiceless for PWDs in Nigeria, a Critical Stakeholder/Member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) (Etomi ward in Etung LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria), and an Academic Don at the University of Calabar.
Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, President and Founder of Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc (ERWPDI) (aka Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Initiative (ERPWDI), was also recognized for his pioneering role in the international disability rights movement.
During the visit, Job Napoleon delivered a powerful message to the new Executive Secretary, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive restructuring of the NCPD to achieve optimal productivity.
He called for a four years forensic audit with the inception 2020-2024 of the Commission to assess the extent of the liabilities and damages inherited from the previous administration. He stressed that the audit is necessary to expose and address the corruption and inefficiencies that have plagued the NCPD.
Napoleon further advised the new Executive Secretary to resist any pressure from influential individuals attempting to thwart the forensic audit. He highlighted the importance of redeploying or removing directors and staff whose tenures have expired or who were improperly appointed, noting that the Commission’s workforce should predominantly comprise of PWDs.
The delegation also underscored the need for training of all NCPD staff, on UNCRPD-Protocol, African PWDs-SDGs, 2030 Agenda, Nigerians with Disabilities Act and also engage them in continuous training to better understand the behavioral patterns and peculiarities of PWDs. Napoleon proposed that the NCPD partner with Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc (ERWPDI) to implement training programs based on toolkits developed by the United Nations for Africa.
He said Chief Ufom, was the one who directly represented Nigeria and the African region during its launching by the UN DSPD/DESA and was given the authorization to use it in Africa countries.
In addition, Napoleon urged the new Executive Secretary to retrieve and revise the ongoing amendment of the National Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. He argued that the amendment should align with international standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and include provisions on retaliation, repression, persecution, and torture, which are endemic and being practiced with impunity in Nigeria without any meaningful questions asked.
Napoleon also called for the harmonization of disability rights laws across Nigeria into a one law that covers all the state and not each state having their law. Currently only 22 out of 36 states have domesticated their disability rights laws, with some failing to establish a commission for PWDs.
He encouraged the Executive Secretary to seek foreign funding to supplement the government’s budget for addressing the challenges faced by PWDs and not depending on annual allocations, as that will not be enough in addressing the magnitude of challenges PWDs in Nigeria are facing.
The solidarity visit marked a hopeful beginning for the NCPD under its new leadership, with high expectations for a transformative tenure that will prioritize justice, accountability, and the well-being of Nigeria’s disability community.
