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The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) have assured The Albino foundation of its readiness to formalize a partnership and collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Chairman of the Commission, James David Lalu, gave the assurance when he received a Management team from the Albino foundation, Led by the Chief Executive Officer, Amb. Jake Epelle, at the Commission’s meeting room in Abuja.
Amb. Epelle endorsed the interventions made by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and expressed willingness to execute the five strands of the European Union disability inclusion project geared towards a more inclusive, participatory, and representative democracy in Nigeria, with guidance by the commission.
In his words, “We want to also identify with commission by letting you know some of the strands of the project and officially communicate to you that Albino Foundation is the face of disability in the European Union, and we are doing this project not only by ourselves but guided by the commission. So, we would be communicating with your team, briefing you every step of the way, asking for your open collaboration and partnership”
Amb. Epelle asked for the Executive Secretary’s recommendation of sign language experts who will work at the national assembly, but will be under the foundation’s payroll, using the existing project budget for a three years engagement. According to him, the nominees will go through standard interview process using criteria that will be developed, making sure the right persons are hired.
In Response, Executive secretary of The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) highly commended the projects rolling out from the Albino Foundation as it is a way of sending a message to the political leaders that PWDs can participate in the system.
According to him, “we are very much interested to partner with the Albino Foundation to achieve all of these very beautiful programmes that you’re rolling out”.
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The European Union Ambassador, Samuela Isopi has lauded the Albino Foundation for championing the cause of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), describing the Foundation as a worthy partner of the European Union.
Speaking on her private visit to the Foundation in Abuja, Ambassador Isopi said the EU is happy and proud to partner with Albino Foundation, noting that through the foundation, the EU has been able to promote and impart values dear to the union, including ongoing political and human rights inclusivity in the country.
With enduring partnership and commitment such as has been demonstrated by Albino Foundation, Isopi hinted that Union would not hesitate to expand its engagement with the disability community to include support in education, healthcare, and empowerment.
In her words, “You know that human rights inclusivity is something which is very much part of the DNA of the European Union, this is very much of our union, our values on which the European Union is founded. And this is why the promotion of these values is also something which is always at the centre of what we do, in our partner countries, or what we do with our partner countries, is always something that is the centre of our actions, of our policies, and of our cooperation with our partner countries. and institutions.
“And we are very happy and also very lucky here in Nigeria, to have the Albino Foundation but also all of you as one of our partners or our allies in this journey. In this long journey. So, I have to say thank you because our role is actually to support you.
So please, I really want to thank you and congratulate you. There had been a foundation, the commission and all of you for the impressive achievements that have been made possible by your commitment by your action.
Speaking on the expanded interest in PWDs inclusion Ambassador the EU Ambassador said it was a direct fallout of recommendations of the 2019 election observation missions geared towards ensuring that no one, especially the disability community, is not left behind in 1023 and future polls.
“As you know, this was one of the key recommendations of the European Union Election Observation Mission. Observe the elections in 2019. And this more exactly, to be more precise is recommendation number 30 of the final report, which indicates that parties be legally required to have policies on the political participation of persons with disabilities and also require INEC to provide devices in all polling units and Information and accessible.
