The house of representatives has warned education stakeholders that “grievous consequences” await rights violations targeted at people with disability (PWDs).
Oboku Oforji, the chairman of the reps committee on basic examination bodies, spoke at the just-concluded first African Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCHEAD) held in Abuja.
The parliamentarian, representing the good people of Yenagoa/Opokuma Constituency, said it is criminal by law to discriminate or violate the rights of PWDs.
He restated that every citizen has a right to education and freedom from discrimination.
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Oforji said Section 57 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 defines disability to include “long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which, in the interaction with various barriers, may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
He said discrimination against PWDs is liable to six months imprisonment, a fine of N100,000, or both for an individual and N1 million for a corporate body upon conviction.
“It is imperative to note that a well-educated population inclusive of persons with disabilities is key to a developed, strong, and competitive economy,” he said.
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Oforji called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other government agencies to increasingly liaise with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
He said this is to encourage the public and private sectors to consider the peculiar interests of disabled persons in policies and activities.
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