…PWDs Begs Kogi Gov to reserves for 21 councilorship Seats in LG Election
The Leprosy Mission in Nigerian (TLMN) has advocates the needs for inclusion of women, Persons with Disabilities, (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups in issues of governance to engender participation for the nation’s development.
The group made the call on Wednesday in Lokoja at a Training program for Civil Society Organization (CSOs) and Advocacy Groups on Gender Inclusion and Disability Inclusive Development.
Program officer for TLMN in Kogi State, Mr. Reuben Isiah while speaking at the event said Women and People with Disabilities must be accorded a place in decision and policy making of government at all levels.
“No society can thrive if any group is left behind in developmental processes of any nation, hence it is obvious that women and Persons with Disabilities should have their share in decision making of the country.
“This is the reason why we are training CSOs, advocacy groups and youth groups who will take the training to their locales on the needs to include women and people with Disabilities in critical decisions of government and governance, as well as the society at large.
Also speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Yahaya Solomon Ojonugwa called on Kogi state government to reserve five percent of councilorship position in the forthcoming Local Government elections for people living with Disabilities.
This is just as he also called on the State electoral body to see that peculiar needs and challenges of people with Disabilities are tackled in the election.
Mr. Solomon said just as the governor directed his party, APC, to reserved the Vice Chairmanship seat and three councilorship seats for women in all the 21 LGAs of the state, the governor should as well direct his party to reserves a councilorship seat in each LGAs for People with Disabilities.
“We seeks inclusion of person with Disabilities in the forthcoming Local government election in Kogi. We urged the state governor, Usman Ododo to respect the UN charter that earmarked 5% slot for PWDs in elective and appointive positions.
“We seeks at least a councilorship seat in each of the 21 Local Government area as well as appointment as a Supervisory councilor after the election.
“We call on INEC to make the election inclusive for PWDs especially as regards magnifying glasses, accessible polling units and others special needs of People with Disabilities.
“The political, economic and social developmental issues must be inclusive to PWDs clusters in the state.
One of the key speaker, Mr. Aliyu Hamza urged the society to handle the issues of women Inclusiveness with the right attitude, “And we need to be responsive enough to address the issues of women inclusivity with broader and open mind.
“A time for citizens to be an active player in how policies are designed and shaped and how we make our input to have a better democratic system that respects the rights of everyone.
“And that is inclusive, taking on the needs of women and other vulnerable groups in the society”.
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