By Chizoba Okeke :
The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze has called on government and well meaning individuals to join hands together, map out measures to improve the living standard of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in line with the International best practices relating to provision of opportunities for persons with various disabilities.
Felicitating persons with PWDs as they mark their day, the speaker commended the 6th Anambra State House of Assembly for enacting a law for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in the State on Sept. 13, 2018, which he said, gave rise to the establishment of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission on Dec. 3, 2021.
Udeze called on the National Assembly and State legislatures in the country to emulate the Anambra State House of Assembly by coming up with policies and legislation aimed at providing a better life for persons with disabilities.
He lauded Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for all his assistance to the Disability Rights Commission in the State, especially his recent equipping of the Commission with cutting edge digital tools to revolutionalize the Commission’s advocacy and support for persons with disabilities.
The lawmaker urged persons with disabilities to live above all forms of discrimination and stigmatization, and strive to improve their living conditions.
He enjoined public and private organizations to integrate PWDs in their schemes and provide an enabling environment for them to enable them to showcase their talents and also coexist harmoniously among their able-bodied counterparts.
*Chizoba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State