With the recent signing of the Imo State Disability Inclusion Bill sponsored by Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, the Honourable Member representing Mbaitolu State Constituency, with the support of the 10th Imo State House of Assembly, into law by my husband, His Excellency Dist Sen (Dr.) Hope Uzodimma, CON, GSSRS, a major milestone has been achieved in promoting inclusivity and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in the State.
In line with this progressive step, the Imo State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank Group through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, organized a three-day sensitization workshop on rights-based approaches to disability-inclusive development, governance, and public policy at Rockview Hotel, Owerri. In declaring the workshop open, I was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Nkechinyere Ugwu, UNJP, who announced the Governor's Assent to the Disability Bill.
In their opening addresses, the World Bank representative, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo Shehu, and World Bank Nigeria consultant, Uzoamaka Ashiegbu, stated that the workshop's essence was to open people's eyes to the positive sides of disability, understand basic concepts of disability, and demonstrate practical skills on developing disability-inclusive policies. They called on participants to first see persons with disability as human beings who deserve to be treated equally with others because they contribute to the nation's development.
The enactment of this law dismantles the barriers erected by society's misconceptions that have failed to recognize their inherent worth and potential, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities and access to social services, employment, education, and healthcare. The workshop also had officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), traditional rulers, civil society organizations, disability rights advocates, and international development partners in attendance.
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H.E. Chief Barr. (Dr.) Chioma Uzodimma FIMC, CMC First Lady of Imo State, Founder of GoodHope Women Flourish Initiative, and Secretary of Renewed Hope Initiative.
