The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, OFR, KSG has disclosed that the number of persons living with disabilities in the Ministry is that high because “The Ministry of Women Affairs is disability-friendly and striving hard for total inclusiveness of every member in all of the mandates of the Ministry in the realization that “we may not make real progress if we don’t carry everyone along.”
While the Minister shared the observation that “disability can come to anybody at any particular time and what persons living with disability need is not sympathy but empathy”, she added that “Disability only exists in the mind”.
She encouraged all persons living with disability not to be limited by their conditions but strive to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves, making sure nothing discourages them. “Don’t allow ridiculous comments, insults or other negativity to stop or slow you down”, the Minister admonished.
In a Statetement Signed by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, press and public Relations, the Minister was speaking at the 2021 International Day for Disability (IDD) which was being marked by the National Association of Persons with Disabilities (NCSAPD), Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Chapter which held today, Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Federal Secretariat Phase 1, Abuja.
Earlier, while welcoming guests and members of the association to the event, Mr. Daniel Isiuwe who is the Chairman, National Civil Service Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Chapter, disclosed that the Intentional Day of Persons with Disability is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992 to promote the right of the persons with disability. He said all what members of his association is asking from the Government is inclusion, acceptability and to make their voices heard as “it is through inclusion that difference or diversity among humans can be appreciated.” He added that, persons living with disability should engage in governance and leadership in the family, community and work place. He further asked that the people should respect the right of persons living with disability (visible or invisible) he added that it is important to create an enabling environment for them to attain their full potentials.
The event featured a special rendition by Alaukwu Ihunanaya and a talk by Mr. Olatunde Odusowo on ‘How to relate with Persons with Disability’.
Olatunde Odusowo asked that there should not be lip-service to inclusion of persons with disability; that enabling environment that can make such person function optimally should be provided and he asked: “Engage us at many things; we are full of potentials; we will surprise you with what we can do; the brains of persons living with disability works more than computer.”
Odusowo also wished that before those who want to help the person with disability goes ahead to do so, he should ask in what ways can he be of help to the person living with disability or what he wants.
A paper presenter at the event was Dr. Sam Ebifa. The paper was entitled ‘Leadership and participation – Not all Disabilities are visible’.
Dr. Ebifa who is visually-impaired, through the paper, dissected the different dimensions of disability and defined leadership. He proceeded to ask the question: “Can a person living with disability play the role of a leader?” He answered in the affirmative listing the conditions: “The environment (of leadership) must be made accessible and inclusive.” He also said: “Persons living with disability must have the right to everything in the workplace or the environment in the format that will be useful to him” and the Persons living with disability must believe that he can do it and others need to believe that he can represent them.”
Those present at the event include the community of persons living with disability in Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, their friends and guests across other Ministries, Department and Agencies in the Federal Public Service and Media representatives.