Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has disclosed the readiness of her ministry to engage the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure that the rights of young individuals with disabilities are protected.
Dr. Bio-Ibrahim made the pledge in Abuja when she paid a courtesy visit on the Executive Secretary of the National Commission on People living With Disability (NCPWD), Mr. James David Lalu.
A press statement issued by head, press and public relations of the ministry, Mrs. Maryam Umar Yusuf quoted the minister as disclosing: “We have proposed some programmes for persons living with disabilities within the six geopolitical zones.
“I look forward to working with the Commission to ensure that the rights of young people living with disabilities are protected and live with dignity and earn very good sources of livelihood; then take as many young people with disabilities off the streets as possible in order to give them a dignified life.
“We also hope to bring more young people to learn about leadership that is required to address challenges of persons living with disabilities.”
Executive secretary of the Commission, David Lalu, expressed optimism that the partnership with the ministry would yield positive results.
The ES also called on state governors to pass the disability law in their respective states to fast track the development of the persons living with disabilities.
“I am optimistic that our partnership with the ministry for youth would yield a lot of result for the youths this year. Presently, 21 states have passed the disability law in their respective states. Out of the 21 states, only 7 have started implementation of the law,” he stated.
