As Kano Network of NGOs Marked International Day for Persons with Disabilities
By
Musa Abdullahi Sufi
Person with disability does not mean is a person with inability.
People who are disabled do not mean they are unable
Annually commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is taking place on 3rd December every year with the aim to encourage understanding of disability issues at the international and local level. These involve speaking and action about rights of persons with disabilities and benefits to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every facet of the political, social, economic and cultural life of our communities. The day provides an opportunity to assemble stakeholders and take action to achieve the goal of complete and equal pleasure of human rights and involvement of persons with disabilities to participate in society activities.
The IDPWD was established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982. The official title of the Day was changed from International Day of Disabled Persons to International Day of Persons with Disabilities by General Assembly resolution 62/127 on 18 December 2007. The theme for this year is Making Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Inclusive: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and their Communities around the world.
On Saturday 5th December 2009 in the heart of Kano City, the umbrella NGOs in Kano-Kano Network of NGOs in collaboration with British Council marked the day with stakeholders in the State. These stakeholders’ ranges from NGOs (local and international), Special Adviser Persons with Disabilities, representative of Special Adviser NGOs and Director, President KANET, Media houses, representative of the wife of Kano State Governor – The shield of Orphans, various coalitions among others. Moreover, the traditional ruling structure of persons with disabilities present. They are the Emirs of Deaf, Cripple, Blind, leapers and their embers were in attendance.
In the welcome address the British Council, Rabi Isma, the Director Support Services, British Council, Nigeria welcome everyone and appreciate the Network for organizing such event. She added that in the British council they do involve persons with disabilities in their programs and further gave example of a disable student that recently returned from Chevening Scholarship with many amazing learning aid from United Kingdom(UK) as well a collaboration in place with the state government.
The president Kano Network of NGOs speech focuses on differentiating the NGOs from other bodies. He defines NGOs as a group of professionals sharing same vision to achieve and implement their work with professionalism.
The paper presentation titled “Making Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Inclusive: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and their Communities around the world” was delivered by Musa Abdullahi Sufi. In his presentation he spoke that while Currently 650 million people equal to 10% of the world's population that live with disability. Among them include the present governor of New York and former prime minister of India who are all presently blind. Furthermore, Musa added that discrimination to people with disabilities is unjust and hinders economic growth and development as well as limits democracy and its progress.
Musa further explained that; The United Nations and the global community are striving for mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in all aspects of societal development. He noted that integrating persons with disabilities are into all development activities is crucial in order to have success and achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Presenter highlight some success on disability issues in the State that include, Schools, Homes and Special Adviser for Persons with Disabilities as well as the role plays by the Garkuwan Nakasassu (The Shield of Persons with disabilities) the wife of Kano State Governor.
Despite some progress Sufi believed that more needs to be done! There are many policies unimplemented and the concept of social inclusion is still not aware and or understood by policymakers (Government), business groups and communites. There is need for emphasis on prevention policies and early identification of disabilities, as well as early intervention while community awareness will play important role. The Questions, comments and answer session was entertained between the presenter and the audience.
The special Adviser persons with disabilities Malam Sharfadi thanks the organizers and said the apology from her Excellency Hajia Halima Ibrahim Shekarau for being physically absent but psychologically present and she asked the S A to fully represent her. He highlights some of the support the state government is given to Persons With Disabilities (PWD) across the State that include given monthly allowances of 2000-5000 Naira. He added that, the influential and rich person should support government programs. He appreciates the collaboration between the British Council and Kano State government in educational tour to Britain for knowledge exchange to improve the condition of PWD.
Malam Ahmad Muhammad the Director Office of the Special Adviser NGOs who is also representing the Special Adviser Malam Nuhu Ya’u gave out vote of thanks. He indicated the support the NGOs office use to give to persons with disabilities. He thanks the British Council and the Organizers of the event.
The Master of Ceremony of the Day was Rahmat Umar from African Independent Television (AIT).
By
Musa Abdullahi Sufi
Person with disability does not mean is a person with inability.
People who are disabled do not mean they are unable
Annually commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) is taking place on 3rd December every year with the aim to encourage understanding of disability issues at the international and local level. These involve speaking and action about rights of persons with disabilities and benefits to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every facet of the political, social, economic and cultural life of our communities. The day provides an opportunity to assemble stakeholders and take action to achieve the goal of complete and equal pleasure of human rights and involvement of persons with disabilities to participate in society activities.
The IDPWD was established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982. The official title of the Day was changed from International Day of Disabled Persons to International Day of Persons with Disabilities by General Assembly resolution 62/127 on 18 December 2007. The theme for this year is Making Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Inclusive: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and their Communities around the world.
On Saturday 5th December 2009 in the heart of Kano City, the umbrella NGOs in Kano-Kano Network of NGOs in collaboration with British Council marked the day with stakeholders in the State. These stakeholders’ ranges from NGOs (local and international), Special Adviser Persons with Disabilities, representative of Special Adviser NGOs and Director, President KANET, Media houses, representative of the wife of Kano State Governor – The shield of Orphans, various coalitions among others. Moreover, the traditional ruling structure of persons with disabilities present. They are the Emirs of Deaf, Cripple, Blind, leapers and their embers were in attendance.
In the welcome address the British Council, Rabi Isma, the Director Support Services, British Council, Nigeria welcome everyone and appreciate the Network for organizing such event. She added that in the British council they do involve persons with disabilities in their programs and further gave example of a disable student that recently returned from Chevening Scholarship with many amazing learning aid from United Kingdom(UK) as well a collaboration in place with the state government.
The president Kano Network of NGOs speech focuses on differentiating the NGOs from other bodies. He defines NGOs as a group of professionals sharing same vision to achieve and implement their work with professionalism.
The paper presentation titled “Making Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Inclusive: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and their Communities around the world” was delivered by Musa Abdullahi Sufi. In his presentation he spoke that while Currently 650 million people equal to 10% of the world's population that live with disability. Among them include the present governor of New York and former prime minister of India who are all presently blind. Furthermore, Musa added that discrimination to people with disabilities is unjust and hinders economic growth and development as well as limits democracy and its progress.
Musa further explained that; The United Nations and the global community are striving for mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in all aspects of societal development. He noted that integrating persons with disabilities are into all development activities is crucial in order to have success and achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Presenter highlight some success on disability issues in the State that include, Schools, Homes and Special Adviser for Persons with Disabilities as well as the role plays by the Garkuwan Nakasassu (The Shield of Persons with disabilities) the wife of Kano State Governor.
Despite some progress Sufi believed that more needs to be done! There are many policies unimplemented and the concept of social inclusion is still not aware and or understood by policymakers (Government), business groups and communites. There is need for emphasis on prevention policies and early identification of disabilities, as well as early intervention while community awareness will play important role. The Questions, comments and answer session was entertained between the presenter and the audience.
The special Adviser persons with disabilities Malam Sharfadi thanks the organizers and said the apology from her Excellency Hajia Halima Ibrahim Shekarau for being physically absent but psychologically present and she asked the S A to fully represent her. He highlights some of the support the state government is given to Persons With Disabilities (PWD) across the State that include given monthly allowances of 2000-5000 Naira. He added that, the influential and rich person should support government programs. He appreciates the collaboration between the British Council and Kano State government in educational tour to Britain for knowledge exchange to improve the condition of PWD.
Malam Ahmad Muhammad the Director Office of the Special Adviser NGOs who is also representing the Special Adviser Malam Nuhu Ya’u gave out vote of thanks. He indicated the support the NGOs office use to give to persons with disabilities. He thanks the British Council and the Organizers of the event.
The Master of Ceremony of the Day was Rahmat Umar from African Independent Television (AIT).
