Nigeria makes plans to integrate disabled people into elected government posts

From The Nigerian Observer:

BIRNIN-KEBBI, Nigeria - The National Committee on Persons with Disability says it has commenced the formulation of a national policy aimed at integrating persons with disability in governance.

The National President of the Association, Alhaji Nasir Argungu, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the new policy was also aimed at providing equal opportunity for the disabled to contest elective posts.

“We would not relent in eliminating all barriers and discrimination of our members,” he said.

Argungu, said he was appointed secretary of the 15-member Federal Government committee on the affirmation of the rights of persons with disability.

He said the committee would evolve policies to protect and defend the rights of the disabled.

“If our members were given equal opportunities, we could perform better as ministers, governors or local government chairmen,” he said.

He said that the committee would identify disabled person who had secured admission in foreign universities and advised those with such admission to forward the documents to the committee for sponsorship.

“The committee has been mandated to also encourage the pursuit of education among the disabled,” he said.