In recognition of its commitment to addressing the plight of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Nigeria has been elected into the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Rights of PWDs.
Saghir el Mohammed, chief press secretary, federal ministry of women affairs and social development, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
Mr. Danladi Basharu was elected into the 18-member committee at the just-concluded 7th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of PWDs, held at the UN headquarters, New York, from June 10 to June 12, 2014.
Until the appointment, Basharu was president of the Joint National Associations of PWDs.
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“The election now places on Nigeria the responsibility of working with other member nations to guide the global implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs,” the statement read.
Dr Habiba Lawal, permanent secretary of the federal ministry of women affairs and social development, said Nigeria’s candidature stood out due to its enviable records of support and care for the PWDs.
Lawal, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the conference, also commended the Nigerian Mission in New York for its role in ensuring the success of the exercise.
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She thanked other African member-countries for their support and encouragement.
“The election of Nigeria into the committee will attract greater international support and technical assistance toward addressing the plight of over 22million PWDs in the country,” she said.
“It also places an additional burden on Nigeria to ensure the timely passage into law, of the National Disability Bill now before the National Assembly.”
Nigeria signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and it’s Optional Protocol in 2008. It subsequently ratified the two instruments in 2010, thereby committing itself to the provisions of the documents.
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