Anambra Makes Case for Persons Living with Disabilities

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has inaugurated the state Disability Rights Commission, to cater for people living with various forms of disability in the state.

Obiano, who inaugurated members of the board at the Executive Chambers of the Government House in Awka, said the effort was to ensure the promotion of the welfare of people living with disabilities in the state.

The governor, while inaugurating the members of the board, directed them to make sure that policies and programmes that would ensure the protection of the rights of persons living with disabilities in Anambra State are guaranteed.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who was also at the inauguration, recalled that the law for the establishment of the commission was passed in 2018, adding that Obiano’s partnership with the people with disability started in 2014 at the commencement of his tenure.

He said: “Remember that Obiano established the Nteje Mental Health Institutions; he renovated Isulo Mental Home, and directed that the state civil service employ people with disability in the service, and we have no fewer than 400 of them working there now.

“We have three permanent secretaries that have served this administration. Obiano wants the welfare of the disability community, and he has ensured their protection, their proper inclusion in the state activities as well empowered their various projects.”

The board has Mr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, a lawyer, as its chairman, and Mr. Chinenye Okeke, also a lawyer, as the secretary (Deputy Director representing Ministry of Justice).

Others are Ugochukwu Ernest Okeke, JONAPWD state chairman (representing the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Anambra State Chapter); Mrs. Obianyo Anthonia, director of Rehabilitation (representing the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs), among several others.