The government of Cross River State has pledged to adequately integrate persons with disabilities into governance.
The commitment was made by Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Cross River State, during a courtesy visit by the TAF Africa team and disability clusters led by Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder, TAF Africa.
Responding to their plea, the SSG stated that the request for the integration of persons living with disabilities into governance is not new, because the state had always worked to ensure persons with disabilities are not left out.
In his words, “We have always employed them as Special Advisers and as Personal Assistants, but we are going to do much more. Even now, the issue of our buildings has been audited to ensure that we really get compliance so that persons with disabilities can also have access to our facilities. That is a big point of attention which we would do. Public buildings are not only for persons without disabilities but also for persons with disabilities.
“In terms of the law, we have already passed a bill in the House of Assembly for which we have thought about inclusion of people with disabilities in the affairs of the state, that have been recognized and been pursued. The state has done very well by involving persons with disabilities in the management of affairs in the state.
The CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, Mr. Jake Epelle expressed high hopes in the current administration. According to him, “We are interested in ensuring that the government carries along persons with disability in all spheres of governance.”
He revealed that they are willing to partner in developing guidelines for the forthcoming local government election. Mr. Livinus Ibingha, State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) disclosed that they have been advocating seriously for the holistic inclusion of persons with disabilities.
According to him, “We have been with SSG advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. There was a bill passed by the Assembly, the bill was assented to by the immediate past governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, waiting for the establishment of a Commission.
“We are hopeful that the issue has been presented before His Excellency here through the SSG, and he has assured us that he is going to make sure we go to the governor to re-echo what we have presented before him because it is a commission that will air the views of persons with disability in the state.”
Stakeholders’ Preparedness for a Disability Inclusive Governorship Election in Anambra State
PRESS STATEMENT TAF AFRICA TO HOST LIVE TELEVISION STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT ON DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE ELECTION PREPAREDNESS IN ANAMBRA STATE In its sustained effort to promote disability-inclusive democratic processes in Nigeria, TAF Africa, with funding support from the European Union through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN 11) Programme, will host a Live Television Stakeholders’ Engagement on the preparedness of key institutions to deliver a disability inclusive governorship election in Anambra State. The 2-hour live broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, 12th October 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will besimultaneously streamed from Anambra state on Arise Television, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Awka, and the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) to ensure wider public reach and visibility. The televised engage1nent aims to provide a public platform for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the media, and the community of persons with disabilities (PWDs) to discuss institutional readiness, collaboration, and commitments toward ensuring an accessible, inclusive, and credible election in Anambra State on November 8, 2025. According to Ambassador Jake Epelle, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, “Elections are not truly democratic until every eligible citizen, including persons with disabilities, can participate on an equal basis. This live engagement provides an avenue for transparency, public accountability, and shared responsibility among critical stakeholders ahead of the Anambra governorship election.” The engagement will feature two high-level panel sessions. The first session, moderated by Amb. Jake Epelle will bring together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to discuss institutional and security preparedness. The second session, moderated by George Anwayi, Senior Programme Officer at TAF Africa, will engage media executives and disability advocates, including the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), the General Manager of NTA Awka, and the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, to explore inclusive media coverage and public awareness strategies. This live engagement forms part of TAF Africa’s broader #AbletoVote campaign under the EU-SDGN II programme, designed to strengthen disability-inclusive electoral reforms, promote civic participation, and inspire public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system. TAF Africa aims to create a barrier-free political environment that promotes the full participation of persons with disabilities in the country’s democratic journey by bringing critical voices to the table and broadcasting the discussion live to millions of Nigerians. For media enquiries, please contact: Lynn Agwuncha, Senior Communication Officer, TAF Africa, 07068091367 or l.agwuncha@tafafrica.co https://youtu.be/k89KkHX5u7c