Anambra Disability Commission Marks First Anniversary, Celebrates Sports Medalists, Seeks Funding
The AnambraDisability Rights Commission (ANSDRC) organised reception for six para athletes who won medals for the State different sporting competitions.
The Commission which made the recognition on the occasion of the first anniversary of its establishment in Awka on Thursday also said 12 of its members were trained and certified in Information and Communication Technology.
Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, Chairman of Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ANSDRC) who spoke at the event said the medalists made the commission and Anambra proud by distinguishing themselves in special sports nationally and internationally.
He said special sports athletes were Esther Nwadika, who had won five medals, including silver and bronze at the national festival in Javelin, shotput and discus at the national competitions.
Others were Celestine Ezeabikwa,weightlifting; Nwachukwu Nneamaka, table tennis; Okwuchukwu Ugwumadu, table tennis; Njideka Iyiazi; Javelin/shotput/discus and Nkolika Nwakile, Badminton.
The Chairman noted that one of the members of the Community, Miss Vivian Ezeonwumelu, who was at the moment in the United States after winning an award from Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Ezewuzie said some of the achievements of the commission in the past one year included capacity building and staff development through ICT and encouraging the spirit of volunteerism.
He said it had promoted special sports, eye and skin care training for people with albinism, and donation of mobility training for the visually impaired, provision of deaf community services to state official events.
“The commission plans to take steps to enforce the accessibility requirements of the Disability Rights Law on public and private structural facilities, parking lots, building plans and permits.
“The Commission will vigorously pursue processes to harness the revenue windows provided for in the Disability Rights Law to support the government and persons with disabilities.
“The Commission will embark on fact-finding tours to special schools and rehabilitation centres in the State to ascertain the truth about the often reported “sorry state” of affairs in these centres,” he said.
On her part, Mrs Uche Ajuluchukwu,
a former Nigeria Ambassador to South Africa, called for employment of computer literate members of the community in ICT, data and record management units.
Ajuluchukwu urged Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to make adequate funds available to the Commission to enable it function optimally.
“I am calling on governor Chukwuma Soludo to show a sense of inclusion in this administration and policy of continuity.
“It is not fair that no single naira was budgeted or released to the Commission since Soludo took over, why should the State House of Assembly pass the 2023 budget without including provisions for funding of the State Disability Rights Commission,” she said.
In her response, Mrs Ify Obinabo the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development said her ministry and state were ready to work and ensure that the rights of the disability community were protected,
Obinabo assured that more of them would be trained and empowered.
Miss Chidimma Ajemba, the Information Officer of the Commission was among the 12 ICT trainees who were issued certificates for successful completion of the programme.
The ANSDRC was constituted on Dec 3, 2021 by the former governor Willie Obiano while the 10-member board was inaugurated on Feb. 1, 2022 with Mr Chukwuka Ezewuzie as Chairman.
The Commission was set up as part of the letters of Anambra State Disability Rights Law.
