Tag: Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda
DISABILITY INCLUSION RADIO SHOW: Advancing Inclusive Democracy: EU-Nigeria Partnerships for Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities
L-R: Yiaga Africa Senior Programs Officer, Yetunde Bakare, Disability Inclusion Radio Show Host, Jennifer Ogor, NWTF Project Lead, Vanessa Gregory, and TAF Africa CEO and Founder, Jake Epelle On today’s show, TAF Africa CEO Jake Epelle, Nigeria Women’s Trust Fund Project Lead, Vanessa Gregory, and Senior Programs Officer at Yiaga Africa, Yetunde Bakare, joined Host, Jennifer Ogor, to discuss, on Radio Nigeria, Advancing Inclusive Democracy: EU-Nigeria Partnerships for Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities in celebration of the EU Day and its efforts in advancing inclusion impact in Nigeria. Watch the full session below!
DISABILITY INCLUSION RADIO SHOW: TAF AFRICA CEO, JAKE EPELLE, AND ORGANIZATION EXPERT, JOHN ETIM EDET, DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF POOR GOVERNANCE ON MILLIONS OF NIGERIANS WITH DISABILITIES
TAF Africa CEO Jake Epelle, Organizational Expert John Etim Edet, and Host Jennifer Ogor, discuss, on Radio Nigeria, the challenges that come with bad leadership and how it affects Nigerians with Disabilities. Watch the full session below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP1suMaxb5E
TAF AFRICA ORGANIZES A THREE-DAY STAFF WORKSHOP ON EFFECTIVE DELIVERY AND TRACKING OF KPIs IN 2ND QUARTER 2025
At the beginning of Q2 2025 (April) TAF Africa recently organized a three-day staff workshop aimed at strengthening Effective Delivery and Tracking of Key Performance Indicators. The workshop provided an opportunity for strategic reflection, leadership development, and program planning to drive impactful change in 2025. A key highlight of the retreat was the KPI Planning Development session, which focused on developing even better and more precise thinking about organizational KPIs. The departments and teams developed detailed SWOT analyses that drove the feedback on building KPIs and updating the KPIs developed at the January 2025 Retreat. These sessions allowed for a comprehensive assessment of past efforts and helped align strategies for greater efficiency and effectiveness. With a focus on improving mental health for greater productivity, the retreat also included a deep dive with a Mental Health Workshop – which discussed strategic ways for the team to manage personal and individual stress and ensured that the TAF Africa team is increasingly able to effectively manage the workload on the road to delivering on TAF Africa’s mission to our shared constituents. This session was facilitated by Doris Epelle, Counsellor & Lead Consultant, Dunech Counselling & Consulting Services. Her expertise and guidance in personal mental health helped the team to understand the value of managing the work and enriched discussions. A key moment of the retreat was the presentations by our guest speakers – Engr Dr Chuks Okpaku, Azure Business Group Lead for Microsoft Africa, Emmanuel Odah, Social Media Expert, and Mr John Etim, a Business Development. Dr Chuks spoke to the value of modern technology and Microsoft technology in getting things done, Emmanuel Odah took the team to task on using Visibility to drive TAF’s storytelling and how that can drive and enrich the work of telling crucial stories. Mr John Etim spoke on the opportunities for Resource Mobilization in TAF and how to leverage these opportunities in view of reaching newer heights for the organization and more specifically for the PWD community. As the retreat concluded, the team took on the feedback from the facilitator consultants, upgraded current plans, exchanged innovative ideas, and realigned their collective vision for the year ahead.
TAF AFRICA’S ENGAGEMENT AT THE GLOBAL DISABILITY SUMMIT (GDS) 2025 IN BERLIN, GERMANY
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025 convened global leaders, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), international development stakeholders, private sector actors, and civil society organizations in Amman, Jordan, to advance the global agenda for disability inclusion. TAF Africa, through strategic engagements and thought leadership, significantly contributed to the summit’s core themes of inclusive employment, political participation, social protection, and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This report provides a detailed overview of key highlights, TAF Africa’s strategic visibility, contributions of the CEO/Founder Amb. Jake Epelle and implications for our organizational programming moving forward. 2. OPENING HIGHLIGHTS AND SUMMIT CONTEXT Day 1 of the GDS 2025 set the tone for an urgent and sustained global commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities, reaffirming that disability inclusion is non-negotiable. Key highlights include: Presentation of Regional Summits: Findings from regional consultations conducted over two years informed the global commitments presented at GDS2025. Key Global Voices: His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan highlighted Jordan’s progress in disability inclusion since becoming a co-host and called for stronger global action to protect persons with disabilities, especially in conflict zones. H.E. Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to disability inclusion, announcing support for inclusive education and the 15% for 15% target. Dr. Nawaf Kabbara, President of the International Disability Alliance, emphasized the role of OPDs, urging that they be recognized as decision-makers and that inclusion must be reflected in every plan and budget. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, emphasized the urgency of reinvigorating efforts toward the lagging disability targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Opening II saw additional commitments: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, announced a new initiative that brings together health and disability organizations to enhance collaboration and impact. Charlotte Young, IDA Youth Ambassador, presented the Youth Call to Action, ensuring that young voices are central to the disability rights movement. Sanja Tarczay, President of the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB), shared key takeaways from the Civil Society Forum (CSF) and presented the Civil Society Declaration. H.E. Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Minister of International Development, Norway, reinforced Norway’s legacy as a GDS co-host and announced increased funding for development aid. Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), announced a new initiative focused on accessible cities and declared UN-Habitat’s endorsement of the Amman-Berlin Declaration. Marie Luise Abomo, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, called on African states to ratify the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 3. TAF AFRICA’S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS 3.1 High-Level Panel Participation: Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, served as a panellist in the session titled “Shaping Inclusive Labour Markets and Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities.” • The session explored policy implementation challenges under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) within employment systems. Key panellists included: Erol Kiresepi, Honorary President at International Organisation of Employers (IOE) Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation Caroline Casey, Founder and Director, The Valuable 500 TAF Africa’s Contribution: Amb. Epelle acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts in building capacity for PWDs through policy and skill development programs. He advocated for deeper collaboration between government and OPDs to scale inclusive job access. Emphasis was placed on the enabling role of legal frameworks and innovative partnerships to remove systemic employment barriers. Persons with disabilities were motivated to stand up for themselves and unite their voices towards self-empowerment and growth. 3.2 Fireside Chat Host: TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum TAF Africa independently hosted a side event titled “TAF Africa Disability Inclusion Forum,” providing a platform to showcase Nigeria’s efforts in mainstreaming disability in political and economic spaces. Speakers: Hon. Dr. Yusuf T. Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Amb. Jake Epelle, CEO/Founder, TAF Africa Alhaji Zayyanu Umar-Aliero, Kebbi State Commissioner for Special Duties Key Discussion Points: Dr. Sununu elaborated on the positive impact of social intervention programs like the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) on poverty reduction within the disability community. Amb. Epelle highlighted TAF Africa’s innovative programs: Able to Vote – Promoting PWDs electoral participation through voting Electability – Enhancing visibility and engagement through political campaigns and vying for elective positions. Able to Serve – Advocating inclusive governance through political appointments. The chat emphasized collective responsibility across sectors to drive systemic change. 4. DAY 2: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL REPORT LAUNCH 4.1 Launch of the Global Disability Inclusion Report The Global Disability Inclusion Report: Accelerating Disability Inclusion in a Changing and Diverse World, developed for the Global Disability Summit 2025, examines these challenges and outlines concrete pathways for change. The report is the result of a collaborative effort of several UN agencies, the International Disability Alliance, the International Disability and Development Consortium, and their members and academia. It has been funded mostly by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-funding from the London Stock Exchange Group and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The report highlights: The impact of global trends like climate change, technology, and urbanization Legal, policy, and financing measures to drive inclusion. Strategies for inclusive education and humanitarian action, healthcare, employment, and social protection The report offers a valuable roadmap for our policy engagement and programming in 2025 and beyond. 4.2 Side Event Panel: Companies as Allies for Inclusive Employment Amb. Jake Epelle again represented TAF Africa as a panellist at this high-impact session that brought together private sector leaders and disability advocates. Panelists included: Andy Garrett, Director – GSK Global Workplace Adjustments Service Jürgen Menze, Disability Inclusion Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO) Nadine Schönwald, Inclusion officer, Board UnternehmensForum, Susan Scott-Parker, Business Disability International (Moderator) TAF Africa’s Key Contribution: Amb. Epelle emphasized the importance of education, digital skills, and professional readiness among persons with disabilities to boost their employability. He presented the Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme, co-developed by TAF Africa and NCPWD
TAF AFRICA, SIGHTSAVERS, AND NCPWD LAUNCH NATIONAL ACCESS TO WORK SCHEME FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA
From L – R: With support from Sightsavers and TAF Africa, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) launched the Framework for the National Access to Work Scheme for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria. This initiative aims to support the full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Disability Act by fostering a collaborative approach with the organized private business sector. The Scheme is designed to provide technical and material support to private-sector employers, ensuring that qualified PWDs have equal employment opportunities in Nigeria. The Framework mandates the government and private sector to pool resources together to eliminate barriers preventing PWDs from accessing formal employment opportunities. In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Chief Ayuba Gufwan, expressed profound gratitude to Sightsavers, TAF Africa, and other partners for their support in developing and launching the Access to Work Framework. He announced that the Commission would immediately inaugurate the Implementation Committee for the Scheme, consisting of representatives from NCPWD, relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the private sector, international development partners, and organizations of PWDs. This Committee will develop an Implementation and Monitoring Framework for the Scheme, ensuring it is effectively executed. Chief Gufwan also disclosed that within six months, the first set of beneficiaries would receive their awards under the Scheme. To demonstrate the Commission’s dedication, he pledged N50 million for the immediate take-off of the initiative. These funds will be used to procure assistive devices and technologies, as well as provide other technical support to private sector employers willing to integrate PWDs into their workforce. “I’m therefore pleased to inform you that the NCPWD is poised to take the bull by the horns by committing to the full implementation of this National Framework on Access to Work for PWDs. As such, the Commission shall commit a sum of fifty million naira (N50,000,000) for the immediate take-off of the Scheme,” Chief Gufwan stated. TAF Africa’s Senior Programme Officer, Mr. George Anwayi, emphasized that the private sector stands to gain significantly by employing persons with disabilities, benefiting from their diverse skills and knowledge. He urged private-sector employers to make commitments like that of NCPWD to deepen the implementation of the Framework. In his goodwill message, former Executive Secretary of the NCPWD, Mr. James Lalu, acknowledged that the development of the Framework commenced during his tenure and expressed his continued dedication to disability inclusion. He pointed out that employment for PWDs should not be limited to formal job roles but should also extend to entrepreneurship and business opportunities. He commended TAF Africa for its efforts in ensuring the realization of this crucial policy. The launch event was attended by key stakeholders from various organizations, all of whom expressed their support for the initiative. Mr. Abdullahi Usman, National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), highlighted that systemic gaps have historically prevented PWDs from accessing employment and expressed excitement that the Framework addresses these issues. Mrs. Olubukola Odesola, representing the Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to promoting disability inclusion in workplaces and pledged to encourage member organizations to support the initiative. Mr. Funmi Onasanya, Head of Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), described the launch as a significant milestone. He assured that CIPM would prioritize the implementation of the Framework across multiple organizations to ensure its sustainability. Ms. Maria Akinsanya, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator at Sterling Bank, expressed enthusiasm for further collaborations aimed at promoting disability inclusion in the workplace. Mrs. Vivian Omorogbe, Head of Employee Experience, Diversity & Inclusion at MTN Nigeria, stated that MTN was part of the Framework’s validation process and is committed to ensuring its successful implementation. Dr. Joy Shu’aibu, Country Director of Sightsavers, commended all contributors who made the development and launch of the Framework possible. She described the event as a major milestone in increasing employment opportunities for PWDs in the private sector and emphasized the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in making the initiative a success. “Today is a milestone that shows our shared responsibility,” Dr. Shu’aibu remarked. With the commitment of NCPWD, private sector employers, and development partners, the initiative is expected to create a more equitable work environment, where PWDs can thrive without barriers. As implementation begins, stakeholders remain optimistic that this Framework will set a precedent for sustainable disability inclusion across Nigeria’s employment scene.
STRENGTHENING ELECTORAL INCLUSION: INEC INCLUSIVITY MANUAL REVIEW WORKSHOP
From L – R: As part of the European Union-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, TAF Africa and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) partnered to organize a three-day workshop focused on enhancing electoral inclusivity. The workshop, held in collaboration with the Gender and Inclusivity Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), aimed to review the draft Inclusivity Desk Officer Facilitator Training Manual. The comprehensive manual was developed to equip INEC’s inclusivity officers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively address gender and disability-related issues during elections. The workshop sought to ensure that Nigeria’s electoral process becomes more inclusive for women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups, by refining the manual. Over three days, key stakeholders, including representatives from NWTF, TAF Africa, and INEC, meticulously reviewed the Facilitator Manual and Participant Handbook. The discussions focused on improving training methodologies, refining key content areas, and ensuring the manual aligns with international best practices on gender and disability inclusion in electoral processes. The workshop reinforced the commitment of all partners to creating a more inclusive electoral system. This initiative, which strengthens the ability of INEC’s inclusivity officers, is a crucial step toward ensuring that no voter is excluded from Nigeria’s democratic process.
TAF AFRICA FACILITATES HIGH-LEVEL MEETING TO STRENGTHEN DISABILITY INCLUSION IN NIGERIA
From L – R: TAF Africa took another step in advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities by facilitating a collaborative meeting with the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, disability community leaders, and government representatives to discuss actionable measures for enhancing disability inclusion in Nigeria. In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, reassured the disability community of the government’s firm commitment to their well-being. He emphasized that under the current administration, persons with disabilities would not face discrimination and would be provided with meaningful opportunities to improve their lives. He further encouraged disability leaders to consider the ministry as their home and a reliable partner in their advocacy for inclusion and accessibility. The meeting also featured a goodwill message from Dr. Chris Nwanoro, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe and a Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). Dr. Nwanoro pledged to leverage his global platform to attract more opportunities that would positively impact the lives of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s disability inclusion efforts align with international best practices and conventions. A crucial appeal was made by Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, the Technical Assistant at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). He urged the Honourable Minister to support the commission’s participation at the upcoming Global Disability Summit. He stressed that attending the summit would not only showcase Nigeria’s efforts in promoting disability inclusion but would also reinforce the country’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Moreover, he highlighted the significance of learning from global best practices to strengthen disability policies and implementation strategies within Nigeria. In a key step toward institutionalizing rapid efforts, Professor Yilwatda approved the establishment of a nine-person reaction plan team. Without hesitation, Jake Epelle, CEO of TAF Africa, nominated the team members, who were promptly assigned the responsibility of developing immediate, actionable demands for persons with disabilities. The Honourable Minister mandated that these recommendations be integrated into the ministry’s programs to ensure that persons with disabilities receive adequate representation and benefits. Furthermore, the minister announced plans for empowerment programs set to roll out in the first and second quarters of the year. He reassured disability leaders that the stipulated percentage of persons with disabilities in these programs would be strictly adhered to, as enshrined in the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act. He emphasized his readiness to provide the necessary support to drive disability inclusion beyond the ministry’s scope and across all sectors of governance and development in Nigeria.