Group sensitises security agencies on rights of PWDs in Oyo

The Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, the Oyo capital, has sensitised various security agencies on the rights of People living With Disabilities (PWDs).

The agencies present during the one-day awareness programme were the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Amotekun Corps.

Speaking on why the programme was organised, Adenike Ibitara, an official of JDPC, said PWDs confront different challenges daily.

“Unfortunately, our security operatives don’t even know that these special people have rights under the law,” she said.

She added that the Oyo state government enacted a legislation in 2022 which stipulates the rights of PWDs and urged security agencies to know the provisions of the law.

Oyedunni Arulogun, the director, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Ibadan, said security officers need to familiarise themselves with the laws relating to PWDs so that they can protect them.

Arulogun added that PWDs should not be discriminated against because of their physical disabilities.

“To better understand PLWDs, we should just try and be friendly with them and learn to see the world through their eyes,” she said.

“For those with hearing impairment, we can learn a little of sign language, and it will definitely make a difference in their lives.”

Participants at the programme narrated their experiences with security officers.