Lagos named ambassador as FG inaugurates disability inclusion initiative

The federal government has flagged off the maiden edition of governors’ connect programme on disability inclusion, in Lagos. 

The initiative, championed by Abba Isa, senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on special needs and equal opportunities, is aimed at partnering with all the state governors to fashion a national consensus on disability-friendly policies.

According to Isa, the initiative will raise awareness on disability issues, facilitate their compliance with disability norms, and provide technical support. 

He said the programme’s action plan includes disability inclusion audits of the various states and hosting a governors’ connect conference on disability inclusion.

During the flag-off ceremony in Lagos, Isa, who was represented by Yusuf Iyodo, his chief of staff, declared the state as the first to meet all requirements for disability inclusion compliance in the country after an on-the-spot assessment. 

“The OSSAP has provided certain parameters which shall serve as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through which the 36 States of the federation will be assessed and rated for their Disability Inclusion Compliance,” Isa said at the flag-off.

“The parameters for Disability Inclusion Compliance include Enactment of Disability Law, Setting up of an Implementation Agency, Inclusion of Disability Sensitivity in Development Plan, and Provision of Disability Responsive Budgeting Across Sectors. Ensuring Disability Sensitive Procurement and Provision of Disability Inclusive Governance.

“The launching (in Lagos) is a commitment by the government to abide by the spirit of the program which is disability inclusion, and to join us in the advocacy for other governments to follow suit. Essentially, we expect Lagos to be an ambassador for the program.”