The Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Association of the Blind has called on Governor Umar Bago to implement a 2014 law establishing a commission for persons with special needs in the state.
State Chairman of the association, Hamza Salihu, made the appeal as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary, saying implementation of the law would provide an institutional framework for addressing challenges facing persons with disabilities.
Salihu said the law was assented to by former Governor Babangida Aliyu on December 3, 2014, but has yet to be implemented.
He said establishing the commission would help create opportunities for persons with special needs to participate more effectively in social, economic and educational activities.
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The association also called for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in governance, with Salihu saying that, to his knowledge, none of its members has been appointed to a position in the current administration.
He also sought improved educational support for visually impaired students through the recruitment of qualified teachers, provision of modern assistive technologies and other learning facilities.
Salihu further appealed to the 25 Local Government Councils in Niger State to provide scholarships and other financial support for visually impaired students to enable them to pursue their education.
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(Editor: Ada Ononye)
