Our Reporter, Abuja
As Charles Chukwuma Soludo begins his second term as governor of Anambra State, a disability rights advocate, Chidimma Ajemba, has called on the administration to broaden its inclusiveness by ensuring stronger representation of persons with disabilities in government.
In a piece titled “An Opportunity for Deeper Inclusion in Anambra’s New Political Term,” Ajemba commended the governor’s early appointments, particularly the inclusion of women in strategic leadership positions, describing it as a progressive signal for governance in the state.
She highlighted the appointment of Chiamaka Nnake as Secretary to the State Government—the first woman to hold the position—as well as Chinwe Okoli, who now serves as Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation and Chief Executive Officer of the Solution Innovation District.
According to Ajemba, “these young professionals represent the growing opportunities for women to shape governance and innovation in Anambra,” adding that their emergence reinforces “merit, youth participation, and gender inclusion.”
However, the activist expressed concern that disability inclusion has not received comparable attention, particularly during the governor’s first tenure. She noted that while a few persons with disabilities were previously appointed, “their roles were not sufficiently visible within the broader governance structure,” creating gaps in representation.
Ajemba referenced the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018, which mandates equality and active participation of persons with disabilities in public life, stressing that its full implementation remains a work in progress.
She also raised concerns about the status of the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, noting reports that the tenure of its members expired last year without reappointment, alongside funding challenges that have limited its effectiveness.
“For institutions designed to protect vulnerable communities to perform optimally, they must be given both administrative backing and adequate resources,” she said.
Ajemba argued that meaningful inclusion must go beyond institutional frameworks to include appointments of qualified persons with disabilities into executive and advisory roles. Such representation, she said, would bring lived experiences into policymaking and help address accessibility gaps across sectors such as health, transportation, and education.
“In many instances, public projects overlook accessibility considerations, not out of intent but because persons with disabilities are not part of the planning process from the outset,” she stated.
She further urged the government to identify competent individuals with disabilities both within Nigeria and in the diaspora for strategic appointments, noting that many in the community actively participated in the last election and remain invested in the state’s development.
The activist also acknowledged the efforts of Nonye Soludo, whose advocacy and outreach to persons with disabilities she described as a demonstration of empathy and commitment to social inclusion.
As the new administration takes shape, Ajemba maintained that extending the same level of commitment shown in gender inclusion to disability inclusion would strengthen the government’s legacy.
“Inclusive governance is not merely about representation; it is about harnessing the diverse talents and perspectives of all citizens,” she said.
She concluded by expressing optimism that with deliberate policies and inclusive leadership, Anambra would continue on a path of equitable and sustainable development.
