Hurray, it is December 10. Today  is International Human Rights day 2023. The world leaders everywhere have continued to make speeches and engage in different usual rituals of ceremonies and talks.

As we know, talk is cheap but the political will to act the sound is often missing. We keep having meetings, conferences and workshops with communiques released every year but there has been minimal impact especially on the rights of Persons with disabilities in the developing world especially in Africa and Nigeria.

There have been several Acts, rules and pronouncements made. While we cannot deny a little progress has been made, as we are not where we used to be. The truth is we have untold opportunities to speed up the human rights game. But often we move on so quickly with little action. Since assuming office, President Tinubu has taken two strategic steps in ensuring persons with disabilities(PWDs) are not left behind.

First he had signed, domiciled African Charter of Persons with Disabilities Rights(ACHRPWD) as well as in the last four days directed that a committee is set up for the enforcement of a section of Discrimination Against Persons’ with disabilities Acts 2018, which stipulate that by 2024 all public buildings in Nigeria must be accessible.

President Tinubu(Photo Credit: NGRGUardian)

There is also an ongoing discussion in the Nigeria Senate that DAPDA2018 be amended, which has passed second reading in the Senate. Part of the amendment sought are:  The law should go beyond just public buildings and include all private buildings. Also a consideration for the Disability trust fund is also on the radar. These two are great news.

We at this organization had maintained, while signing the ACHRPWD is a good development, Nigeria had already signed, domiciled UNCHRPWD prior to ACHRPWD. 

What have been the changes experienced by PWDs up until now? We here had also maintained the quality of work put into DAPDA 2018 is good enough if necessary actions and political will to ensure proper execution is treasured. Our position as we mark today’s International Human rights day 2023 are:

-Go beyond talks: Talk and speeches are great, but these do not solve the problem.

Dust the gazettes: in our archives are solid documents that can change the landscape. Nigeria’s DAPDA 2018 documents among others contain great nuggets and pointers to great changes we desire for Persons with Disabilities. Let us go back to our policy shelves and dust some of the documents, policies prepared by experts.

Create an enabling environment: If anything is going to work, the environment, culture and context are very important. Governments at all levels, PWDs community, Societies must work together in creating the right environment that can help persons with disabilities to enjoy their inalienable rights, this is not too much to do.

Take action: Nothing succeeds with just goal setting. Necessary and strategic actions had been seen to produce more results than great speeches. It is time to act. We must remember, we cannot have a sustainable society if over 1billion globally and about 30 Million Nigerians are neglected and their fundamental rights trample up.

We also use this opportunity of International Human Rights Day 2023 to call on International development partners, funding Agencies to support our work as we are poised to make a change. Inclusive society, Inclusive Development is a must now. Just a mail and call away: info@cdinclusionafrica.org and +2348100166703