Tinubu urged to set aside 10% of all appointments for persons living with disabilities

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has been urged to set aside 10% of all federal appointments for persons living with disabilities in line with the spirit of the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) Prohibition Act 2018.

Next week, President Tinubu is expected to name his ministerial appointees and then forward the lost to the senate for approval. With jostling for position currently ongoing, Tolu Bankole, the All Progressives Congress's (APC) national leader of persons living with disabilities, said 10% of all federal appointments should go to PWDs.

Yesterday, the Federal House of Representatives called for a 10% employment allotment for all persons living with disabilities, asking that it be implemented without delay. This appeal followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon Kafilat Ogbara, requesting that the matter be addressed.

Hon Ogbara stressed that the PWDs Prohibition Act 2018 was passed into law to ensure the rights of disabled peoples are safeguarded. Consequently, the House of Representatives urged the secretary to the government of the federation, Senator George Akume, to direct the head of service of the federation as well as ministries, departments and agencies to adhere strictly to the provisions of Section 29 of the Discrimination Act 2018 by making appointments available.

Mr Bankole applauded Hon Ogbara and other members for making the bold, timely and articulate intervention that he believes could change the socio-economic status of millions of persons living with disabilities and their dependents. He also called on the leadership of the senate and state assemblies to borrow a leaf from the book of the House of Representatives.

“Disability is never by choice and nobody is immune. We are PWDs either by birth, negligence by parents and guardians, accidents, war, age, disease, or epidemic. However, the full implementation of the Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 will ensure the economic and social inclusion of PWDs.

“I use this opportunity to appeal to the distinguished senators in the red chamber and all the state houses of assembly to lend their voices to this call to unlock the full potential of persons with disabilities by breaking down the systemic barriers that limit their full participation in society. This is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do,” Mr Bankole added.