Britain implores Nigeria to pass disability bill

THE British High Commission has implored Nigeria to pass into law the Nigerian Disability Bill with a view to addressing the plight of those with special needs.

In a statement from the High commissioner, Paul Arkwright, to commemorate the Human Rights Day today, he urged that the country should work to make disabled persons, who are usually the poorest in the society, to have a sense of belonging, pledging his commitment to work with government in achieving the goal.

I appeal to the relevant authorities to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its optional protocol by ensuring the passage of the Nigerian Disability Bill into law. The Act will provide for the establishment of a National Commission for persons with disabilities which will serve as the platform for the implementation and enforcement of all provisions of the Disability Act.
“On our part, we will continue to work with the Nigerian Government, NGOs and civil society to promote human rights for all including those living with disabilities.
“Already, the UK Department for International Development has a number of programmes designed to address some of the exclusion people with disabilities have to deal with,” Arkwright said.

Meanwhile, three Nigerian youths have been selected for the young leadership award from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Imrana Alhaji Buba, Olanrewaju Adeloye and Olumide Femi Makanjuola are among the 60 young people from across the Commonwealth who are being recognised as exceptional leaders in their communities.

These 60 young people will receive a prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award.
The statement further indicated that the award will be presented in London by the Queen in 2016, and is part of her Young Leaders Programme.

The award celebrates the achievements of young people who are taking the lead to transform the lives of others and make a lasting difference in their communities.

This year’s award winners, aged between 18 and 29 and who come from all over the Commonwealth, are working to support others, raise awareness and inspire change on a variety of different issues, including education, climate change, gender equality, mental health and disability equality.

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in partnership with Comic Relief and The Royal Commonwealth Society, had established The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme in honour of Her Majesty’s 60 years of service to the Commonwealth at the time of her Diamond Jubilee.

The awardees are to attend a week-long residential programme in the UK in June after which they will receive the award at Buckingham Palace.