Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to eliminating all barriers hindering the full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in society, insisting that such removal “is a must.”
This was contained in his goodwill message at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) celebration, signed by his Special Assistant on Persons with Disabilities, Mr. David Anyaele.
“We will continue to say no to all forms of discrimination, stigma, and isolation of Abians on account of disability,” Otti said.
He explained that the IDPD, set aside by the United Nations, aims to promote a broader understanding of disability issues, with emphasis on the rights of PWDs and the benefits of fully integrating them into political, social, economic, and cultural life.
“We are joining the global community to reflect on the state of participation and contributions of persons with disabilities to the socio-economic development of our state,” he added, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to disability inclusion.
According to him, the government is determined to guarantee the well-being of PWDs through the promotion of equal opportunities as provided for in the Abia State Disability Law, the National Disability Act, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking on the 2025 IDPD theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” Otti said it aligns perfectly with the values Abia State places on disability inclusion.
“To ensure the sustainability of our investments in PWDs—and to ensure that barriers removed never reappear—we have strengthened the capacity of Permanent Secretaries across MDAs on disability inclusion, the Abia State Disability Law, and disability-responsive budgeting. This will ensure that no one is left behind,” he said.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve accessibility across the state.
“Our public infrastructure is being upgraded to accommodate persons with different forms of disabilities. The newly acquired mass-transit buses, for instance, come with accessibility features for persons with physical disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly,” he stated.
The Governor further disclosed that similar capacity-building efforts have been extended to the local government level.
“We have trained Local Government Area Mayors/Chairmen across the three Senatorial Zones on disability inclusion. Additionally, over 800 primary healthcare workers, teachers, and parents/caregivers have been sensitized on supporting children with intellectual disabilities in Abia State.”
Governor Otti, while wishing all Abians with disabilities a happy celebration, assured that his administration is committed to scaling up the state’s response to disability issues in the coming year and beyond.
