Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Congratulates Abia State Governor on Third Anniversary of Abia State Disability Law. 

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) extends its warmest congratulations to the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, on the third anniversary of the passage of the Abia State Disability Act. This landmark legislation is a critical step towards ensuring the rights, dignity, and full inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

While acknowledging the foundation laid by the signing of the law, CCD particularly applauds Governor Otti’s administration for the significant, deliberate, and inclusive actions taken, which have rapidly advanced the implementation of the law and substantially improved the lives of PWDs in Abia State.

CCD observes the following:

*Empowerment and Appointments:* We acknowledge the strategic appointments of Persons with Disabilities into key government positions, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of policy-making and governance. In particular, the appointment of Mr David O Anyaele, a leading disability rights advocate in Nigeria, as your Special Assistant on Persons with Disabilities.

*Establishment of the Abia State Disability Commission:* CCD highly commends the prompt and effective establishment of the Abia State Disability Commission, especially the appointment of Honourable David Obinna Anyaele as the pioneer Chairman of the Abia State Disability Commission. Other PWD members of the Commission including Mr. Stanley Onyebuchi, national President of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Ms. Ijeoma Okoronkwo, a leader of persons with Albinism in Abia State, and Mr. Emenike Amakwe as well as late Mrs. Chinenye Ogboso. This key institution is central to the law’s success, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to the principle of “nothing about us without us.”

*Approval for Zonal Office:* The approval for the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) South East Zonal Office in Umuahia by Your Excellency further solidifies Abia’s role as a regional leader in disability inclusion.

CCD encourages Governor Otti to sustain and expand these achievements, particularly by ensuring continuous budgetary allocation to the Disability Commission and integrating accessibility provisions across all government sectors.

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities remains a dedicated partner and looks forward to supporting the Abia State Government in its continued efforts to build an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable state where every citizen, including PWDs, can thrive.

CCD urges all other State Governors across the Federation to emulate the exemplary model of inclusive governance demonstrated by Governor Alex Otti. By establishing and properly funding State Disability Commissions, and by actively promoting inclusive initiatives such as para-sports, state governments can unlock the full potential of PWDs and ensure that no citizen is left behind.

Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is a foremost non-governmental organization committed to promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. CCD partners with government, development partners, the private sector and other non-state actors in ensuring that persons with disabilities do not experience any form of stigma, discrimination and rejection. CCD successfully led CSO’s campaign for the passage and assent on the Lagos State Special Peoples’ Law 2010, the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, and the Abia State Commission for Disabled Persons Law 2022 in 2011, 2019 and 2022 respectively.

CCD’s ongoing project in Abia State includes: Promoting Disability-Inclusive Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Abia State, Bringing The Perspectives Of Pwds To Discussions On Petroleum Industry Act 2018 and Processes of Benefit-Sharing In Nigeria’s Niger Delta Regions, Promoting Disability-Inclusive Climate Change Related Programs and Policies In Abia State and finally Disability -Inclusive Greenhouse Gas emissions, climate change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria.