As part of the activities to mark this year’s International Day of Persons
with Disabilities slated for December 3 of every year, the First Lady and
President of African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM),Dame Patience
Faka Jonathan, has advocated increased participation of disabled persons
in our national life.
She called for the integration of persons with disabilities in every
aspect of our political, social, economic and cultural life, saying, “it
is only through this that the total well-being of the citizenry can be
achieved.”
She made this remark when the management of A. Aruera Reachout Foundation
(AARF), the families of children with disabilities and vulnerable
children, who were at the State House to thank her for the recent
successful heart surgeries of children taken abroad.
She was, however, overwhelmed by the gesture, and called on every well
meaning Nigerian to see how the disabled persons can be gainfully employed
in the economic life of the nation by promoting the removal of all types
of barriers. According to her, “International Day of Persons with
Disabilities aims to promote an understanding of disability issues,
including the mobilization and support for the dignity, rights and
well-being of persons with disabilities.
“The contributions made by these persons with disabilities as agents of
change and development in our nation, cannot be over-emphasized.”
She enjoined the various arms of government to take the lead in showing
how these persons can be integrated into the society for sustainable
development and the economic rejuvenation of the country.