The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to protect and enforce the rights of People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) during elections and other civic responsibilities.
Commandant of the NSCDC Kaduna state Command, Comm. Lucy Fakoya stated this in Kaduna on Thursday while receiving on an advocacy visit, the leadership of The All-Right Foundation of Africa, otherwise known as TAF Africa at the Command’s headquarters in Kaduna. She said that the PWD community is part of the society and they need the support of every other segment in the society, especially the security agencies to effectively contribute their quota to the development of the society.
She said the Civil Defence Corps has taken critical steps to protect the rights of People With Disabilities, adding that the Command has a Desk Officer in charge of people with disabilities in the state. “We are very committed to enforcing the rights of People With Disabilities, because it is today that we know, nobody knows who can become disabled tomorrow.
“We are concerned about the plight of People With Disabilities. We are going to do our best to protect their rights. And based on your request, we are going to build a ramp to mark the Command’s headquarters accessible to People With Disabilities,” she assured.
Corporate Services and Compliance Manager TAF Africa, Uche Enyioha, who led the TAF Africa’s team on the visit said the organization is working around enhancing participation of PWD in elections, particularly the local government election in Kaduna state. He said, TAF Africa has partnerships with Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, but they saw the need to seek support and partnership with the NSCDC as a major agency that provides security during elections.
According to Enyioha, “We want you to support the protection of the rights of PWD during elections. We also want to be allowed to train your officers who will be engaging directly with PWDs in the field to know how to engage with the PWDs.”
TAF Africa had on Wednesday paid a similar advocacy visit to Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS), where the Agency assured TAF of adequate protection for Persons With Disability (PWD) at the grassroots level, especially during elections and other civic responsibilities.
