By Israel Adebiyi

Members of the disability community in Edo State have reiterated their call for the urgent constitution of a commission to implement the Edo State Persons with Disabilities Law, passed in July 2022.

They made this appeal during the 13th Rights Above Charity Lecture, organized by the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) in commemoration of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The event, which held in Benin City, brought together stakeholders, advocates, and policymakers to discuss strategies for promoting inclusivity, equity, and social justice for persons with disabilities in Edo State.

In his address, NAPVID’s Executive Director, Barrister Melody Omosa, emphasized the critical role of the proposed commission in translating the disability law into actionable steps that will improve the lives of persons with disabilities in the state. 

According to him, “the commission is not just a bureaucratic entity; it is the engine needed to drive the practical implementation of this law and ensure that persons with disabilities are no longer left behind in governance, education, and employment.”

Barrister Omosa highlighted the long wait since the law was passed and urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to fulfill his administration's commitment to inclusivity by constituting the commission without further delay.

Delivering the keynote lecture titled “From Margins to Mainstream: Implementing the Edo State Persons With Disability Law For an Inclusive and Equitable Society,” Senior Advocate of Nigeria and renowned human rights advocate, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, called for a robust and collective effort to eliminate discrimination and stigmatization against persons with disabilities. 

She noted that inclusivity is not just a social responsibility but a moral imperative that must be pursued vigorously.

“We must shift the focus from charity to rights,” she said, adding that society’s attitudes and systemic barriers must be addressed with deliberate policies and actions. Professor Omorogbe also urged stakeholders to see persons with disabilities as agents of change who contribute significantly to societal development when provided with the right opportunities.

The state Coordinator,  Rule of Law and Anticorruption (ROLAC), Uche Nwokedi further emphasized that disability rights are human rights and called on the Edo State Government to set up the state Disability Commission to drive the implication of the law. 

A significant highlight of the event was the disbursement of livelihood materials to several physically challenged persons. These materials, provided by NAPVID in collaboration with its partners, aim to enhance self-reliance and economic empowerment among the beneficiaries.

Speaking on the initiative, Barrister Omosa stated, “this gesture underscores our belief in creating opportunities rather than perpetuating dependency. Empowerment is the pathway to dignity.”

The event further called for a renewed call for collaboration between the government, civil society organizations, and the private sector to create a more inclusive Edo State. Participants expressed hope that the government would respond swiftly to the call for the commission's establishment, ensuring that the spirit of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is reflected in tangible progress for the disability community in the state.