Media, Disability, and The Ballot: Journalists in Anambra Trained to Drive Inclusive Electoral Coverage

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In the lead-up to the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, an important and timely conversation is emerging, one that centers not just on votes but on visibility, dignity, and inclusion. At the heart of this shift is a strategic media engagement organized by TAF Africa, with funding support from the European Union under its support to democratic governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme. Themed “Able to Vote: Bridging Media and the Disability Community for Inclusive Participation in Anambra,” the event brought together journalists and disability advocates for a deep and necessary dialogue on changing the media narrative around persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral space.

The engagement was a deliberate effort to confront and dismantle the entrenched media habits that have long marginalized persons with disabilities in election reporting. Journalists from across the three senatorial zones gathered to learn, unlearn, and relearn how stories can shape participation and perceptions.

“Too often, stories about persons with disabilities are either reduced to tales of pity,” said Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, during his session on Framing the Media Narrative on Disability. “The danger is not just in the inaccuracies, but in the harm they cause, harm that can extend to shaping policies, denying rights, and perpetuating exclusion.”

Ojo emphasized that media narratives have power, and with that power comes responsibility. He urged journalists to move beyond passive coverage and take on investigative roles that probe how inclusive institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties truly are. “Ask questions,” he said. “Are assistive tools like braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses really reaching voters who need them? Are parties fielding candidates with disabilities or merely paying lip service to inclusion?”

Also speaking at the event, Barr. Peter Moneke, Legal Adviser to the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Anambra State, echoed the call for deeper inclusion. He reminded participants that democracy demands not only that persons with disabilities cast votes but that they are visible and supported throughout the entire electoral process, including as aspirants and political office holders.

“It’s not enough to vote,” Moneke said. “We must also have persons with disabilities at the table where decisions are made. That’s true representation.”

Lynn Agwuncha, Senior Communication Officer at TAF Africa, struck a chord with the participants when she acknowledged their presence and dedication. “Your role is not just to report,” she said, “but to reflect the realities of every citizen, especially those who have been historically ignored. This partnership between the media and the disability community is essential if we are serious about building inclusive elections.”

Adding to this, Mr. George Anwayi, Senior Programme Officer at TAF Africa, emphasized the importance of accuracy and empathy in disability coverage. “Words matter. Images matter. Context matters. Every headline, every caption, and every frame should respect the humanity and rights of persons with disabilities.”

The training covered key thematic areas designed to reshape how journalists engage with disability issues:

Ethical and inclusive language in reporting

Challenging stereotypes and harmful tropes

Collaborating with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs)

Crafting story angles that spotlight inclusion in electoral processes

Holding institutions accountable through investigative journalism

Beyond the sessions and technical know-how, what made the event striking was the shared commitment to doing better, not just in print or on-air, but in attitude and approach. Journalists at the training expressed both surprise and determination, admitting how much had been missed in past reporting and vowing to turn a new page.

“I didn’t realize how narrow our reporting lens has been until now,” said one participant. “This training has opened my eyes to stories waiting to be told, and more importantly, how to tell them with dignity.”

Another journalist remarked, “Disability is not a tragedy. Exclusion is. That’s what we need to report.”

The event was a gentle reminder that inclusion doesn’t begin at the polling unit; it begins in the stories that shape public consciousness. And with the knowledge and tools shared at the training, journalists in Anambra are better equipped to ensure that throughout the electoral cycle for the gubernatorial elections, come November 8, 2025, the voices of persons with disabilities will be heard, respected, recognized, and represented.

We streamed live on Facebook! Watch it again on Youtube!

Call For Applications: IT Officer

Job Title: IT Officer Location: Abuja Employment Type: Full Time Duration: 12 months TAF Africa is an independent non-governmental/not-for profit organization originally established to promote health, socio-economic rights, well-being, and empowerment of persons with albinism. The organization has since evolved to become a focus organization that advocates for the recognition and respect of the rights, socio-economic and political inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria and the around the World. The foundation contributes to legislative and policy action that promotes the rights of PWDs, and effective mainstreaming of inclusion. Responsibilities IT Support: Provide technical support for all IT systems within the organization. Troubleshoot hardware and software issues, assisting employees in resolving technical problems. Stay updated on emerging IT trends and implement best practices within the organization. Web and Mobile App Management Manage TAF Africa’s Disability Hub application Ensure that TAF’s Applications are Disability Friendly Be Product Owner for the applications Website Development and Maintenance: Design, develop, and maintain the organization’s website to ensure a user-friendly and appealing online presence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the website aligns with TAF Africa’s communication strategies. Implement SEO strategies and optimize the website for search engine visibility. Graphic Design: Create visually striking and engaging graphics materials, both digital and print. Develop and maintain the visual identity of TAF Africa, including logos, brand, and donor guidelines. Collaborate with different teams to design presentations, brochures, and other materials. Produce multimedia content, including images, infographics, videos, and animations, to support marketing campaigns. Any Other Duties Assigned Qualification Extensive experience (minimum of 7 years) and demonstrable knowledge of programme management in areas related to the organization’s thematic thrust. Strong ICT skills Strong stakeholder management and decision-making skills. Excellent report-writing skill. Strong communicator, coordinator, and networker. Strong ability to execute work with an inclusion lens. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Exceptional organizational skills and impeccable attention to detail. How To Apply: Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications using the link below: https://forms.gle/ZjfrmG4WQi4i4TQN9 Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Application Deadline: 7th January 2026 Diversity and Inclusion:TAF Africa strongly encourages applications from women and persons with disabilities. All submissions will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

Call For Applications: Programme Manager

Job Title: Programme Manager Location: Abuja Employment Type: Full Time Duration: 12 months TAF Africa is an independent non-governmental/not-for profit organization originally established to promote health, socio-economic rights, well-being, and empowerment of persons with albinism. The organization has since evolved to become a focus organization that advocates for the recognition and respect of the rights, socio-economic and political inclusion of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria and the around the World. The foundation contributes to legislative and policy action that promotes the rights of PWDs, and effective mainstreaming of inclusion. Responsibilities Manage the conceptualization, design, planning, and implementation of programmes in line with the organization’s thematic thrust. Coordinate the activities of state offices in programme implementation. Oversee, support, and evaluate the work of Programme Officers, Volunteers, and Consultants. Ensure appropriate compliance, reporting, and documentation on programmes and interventions in line with agreed standards and donor requirements. Develop, nurture, and manage relationships with partners. Scan for funding opportunities in areas relevant to the organization’s vision Ensure adherence to the organization’s policies, especially the Gender Policy, and the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy in all programmatic design and activities. Develop and implement comprehensive program strategies in alignment with the organization’s overall goals and objectives. Collaborate with senior management to define program scope, goals, and deliverables. Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of multiple projects within the program portfolio. Establish project timelines, milestones, and deliverables. Ensure adherence to project management best practices. Work closely with various departments to coordinate resources, resolve issues, and optimize project delivery. Foster effective communication and collaboration among project teams. Manage program budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources. Identify potential risks associated with projects and develop strategies for risk mitigation. Implement risk management processes to address and resolve issues promptly. Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Communicate project progress, risks, and outcomes to stakeholders in a clear and timely manner. Implement quality assurance processes to ensure the delivery of high-quality projects. Monitor and evaluate project outcomes against predefined benchmarks. Lead and motivate project teams, providing guidance and support to ensure successful project completion. Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Prepare and present regular progress reports to senior management and stakeholders. Maintain accurate project documentation and records. Any other duties assigned. Qualification Extensive experience (minimum of 7 years) and demonstrable knowledge of programme management in areas related to the organization’s thematic thrust. Strong ICT skills Strong stakeholder management and decision-making skills. Excellent report-writing skill. Strong communicator, coordinator, and networker. Strong ability to execute work with an inclusion lens. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Exceptional organizational skills and impeccable attention to detail. How To Apply: Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications using this link: https://forms.gle/p34D4TxYd2sBhLpq8 Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Application Deadline: 7th January 2026 Diversity and Inclusion:TAF Africa strongly encourages applications from women and persons with disabilities. All submissions will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

TAF Africa CEO and Founder, Amb Jake Epelle, Among Others Honored As Human Rights Defender

Yesterday, our CEO/Founder Jake Epelle, was honoured as a human rights defender by National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to human rights promotion and activism in Nigeria. Congratulations Sir! http://tafafrica.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ambassador-Jake-Epelle-receives-Honor-as-Human-Rights-Defender.mp4#t=,15

TAF Africa Calls For Renewed Commitment To Disability-Inclusive Societies On The 2025 International Day Of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD)

TAF AFRICA PRESS STATEMENT 3 December 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria TAF Africa joins the global community today to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) under the theme “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”. This year’s observance offers an important opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, and how far we must still go to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only included but empowered as equal contributors to national development. The 2025 theme is especially significant as it builds on the momentum of the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha from 4 – 6 November 2025, where world leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a just, inclusive, peaceful, and equitable world. At the Summit, disability inclusion featured prominently as a fundamental pillar of social justice and sustainable development. For Nigeria, these global commitments must translate into accelerated action at home. As an organisation dedicated to strengthening the full participation of persons with disabilities in governance, democracy, and development, TAF Africa acknowledges the progress made. Yet, we remain deeply concerned that millions of Nigerians with disabilities still face systemic exclusion in education, healthcare, employment, public infrastructure, political participation, and digital access. In line with today’s global message, we call for: 1. Full enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018: Seven years after its passage, full compliance, especially in accessible infrastructure, public services, and protection from discrimination, remains critically low. Governments at all levels must prioritise implementation, budget allocation, and monitoring. 2. Institutionalisation of disability inclusion across all sectors: From elections to economic planning, disability inclusion cannot remain an afterthought. MDAs, the private sector, and development agencies must embed disability responsive frameworks into policies, programs, and service delivery. 3. Strengthening political participation of persons with disabilities Democracy is incomplete without the voices of all citizens. We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, and civil society to full implement disability-inclusive electoral processes in future elections 4. Investment in accessible technology, innovation, and social protection Equitable digital access, assistive devices, inclusive social protection systems, and economic empowerment initiatives are essential for social progress and long-term national development. 5. Partnership-driven solutions Achieving an inclusive society requires strong collaboration among government, civil society, organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), private sector actors, the media, and international partners. We reaffirm our commitment to working with all stakeholders to drive lasting change. Today, TAF Africa celebrates the resilience, innovation, and leaders of persons with disabilities across Nigeria and the African continent. Their contributions to governance, entrepreneurship, education, the creative economy, technology, and community development continue to inspire our collective pursuit of justice and equality. As the world renews its commitment to social development following the Doha Summit, Nigeria must seize this moment to reaffirm that disability inclusion is a national priority, not optional, not symbolic, but essential. Let today be a reminder that a truly inclusive society is one where every individual, regardless of disability status, can live with dignity, exercise their rights fully, and contribute meaningfully to national progress. Signed: Ambassador Jake Epelle FniprCEO/FounderTAF Africa