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Rivers State Establishes Disability & Gender Desk Offices Across 31 MDAs, Approves Capacity-Building Training In Partnership With TAF Africa

TAF AFRICA PRESS STATEMENT

TAF Africa is pleased to announce a major milestone in the advancement of disability-inclusive governance in Rivers State, as the Head of the Civil Service has formally established Disability and Gender Desk Offices across 31 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). In addition, 31 officers have been nominated to serve as Disability and Gender Desk Officers, one in each MDA, indicating a substantial step in mainstreaming disability inclusion in government systems, policies, and service delivery.

This milestone achievement is in response to TAF Africa’s advocacy visit to the Office of the Head of Service, where we called for deliberate institutional frameworks to entrench disability inclusion in governance at all levels. The swift and affirmative response of the Rivers State Government demonstrates a renewed commitment to upholding the rights, dignity, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in public life.

Furthermore, the Head of Service has approved TAF Africa’s capacity-building training for the nominated Desk Officers as part of the Disability Inclusive Governance Project in Rivers State, funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF). The training, scheduled for the 24th and 25th of November 2025, will equip the officers with practical knowledge, tools, and strategies to effectively champion disability inclusion within their respective MDAs, ensuring that government programs, policies, and services reflect accessibility, equity, and non-discrimination.

Through this institutionalization of Disability and Gender Desk Offices, Rivers State sets a progressive example for other states, reinforcing the importance of inclusive governance as a catalyst for development. This collaborative step between the state government and TAF Africa is expected to strengthen accountability, promote inclusive policy implementation, and enhance service delivery for citizens with disabilities across the state.

TAF Africa commends on the Head of the Civil Service of Rivers State for this decisive action and reaffirms its commitment to supporting the state in achieving full compliance with national and international disability rights standards. With the establishment of these desks and the approved capacity-building program, Rivers State is charting a transformative path toward a government system that is truly disability inclusive.

Signed:
Ambassador Jake Epelle Fnipr
CEO/Founder
TAF Africa

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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

TAF Africa delivers a powerful Disability Inclusive Governance training for Rivers State

Yesterday, TAF Africa concluded a two-day training for 31 Disability Desk Officers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Rivers State. This training focused on strengthening their capacity to mainstream disability inclusion in government policies, programs, and service delivery. Special Thanks to the Rivers State Government for approving this 2-day workshop, which was fully funded by our partner, the Disability Rights Fund (DRF).

POST-ELECTION PRESS STATEMENT BY TAF AFRICA ON THE PARTICIPATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDS) IN THE 2025 ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

TAF Africa, with funding support from the European Union under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN II) Programme, observed the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election through the deployment of 150 trained citizens and roving media observers, as well as 25 trained sign language interpreters across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

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