Senior Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on
Physically Challenged Matters, Hon. Itekenna Altraide has praised
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State over an automatic employment
he offered two newly wedded physically challenged couples.
The couples whose wedding gifts were automatic employment into Anambra
State civil service are: Mr and Mrs Ndubueze Comfort Ezemba (Deaf
couple) and Mr Agbanu Kelechi (a visually impaired groom).
The good news was broken by the Senior Special Adviser to the Gov.
Obiano on Disability Matters, Barr. Chuks Ezewuzie when both couples
visited his office to collect their wedding gifts from the governor.
Barr Ezewuzie who represented his boss at the wedding of the Ezembas
and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
Dr. Azuka Ofomata who represented the Governor at the wedding of the
Agbabus both presented the governor’s wedding gifts to the newly
wedded couples
The SSA explained that the employment opportunity being offered to
them was part of the automatic employment scheme the governor
announced for persons with disabilities in the state
In their thank you message to the governor, the couples expressed
their appreciation to him for honouring their wedding invitation and
his magnanimity towards physically challenged persons.
According to Governor Wike’s SSA, “We deeply appreciate this
employment gesture by Governor Obiano. We urged other states to
emulate same for the interest of physically challenged persons.
Another governor that has tried in offering automatic employment to
physically challenged persons is Governor Wike. His 1st and 3rd
anniversaries as Rivers State governor, he employed several physically
challenged persons.
Hon Altraide also appealed to the governors of the federation to
prioritize employment of physically challenged persons on quarterly
basis.
Following the signing of the Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 into
law by President Muhammadu Buhari, it becomes an offence to
discriminate against physically challenged persons in the country.
According to the provisions of the new law, corporate offenders risk a
fine of N1m and N100,000 for individuals.
There is also a penalty of six years jail term for the offence as an option.
The Act further provides that before erecting any public structure,
its plan should be scrutinised by relevant authority to ensure that it
conforms to the building code.
A government or government agency, body or individual responsible for
the approval of building plans shall not approve the plan of a public
building if the plan does not make provision for accessibility
facilities in line with the building code.
An officer who approves or directs the approval of a building plan
that contravenes the building code, commits an offence and is liable
on conviction to a fine of at least N1, 000, 000 or a term of
imprisonment of two years or both.
Discrimination is prohibited in public transportation facilities and
service providers are to make provision for the physically, visually
and hearing impaired. This applies to seaports, railways and airport
facilities, the law stated
It added that the rights and privileges include; education, health
care, priority in accommodation and emergencies. Furthermore, all
public organisations are to reserve at least five per cent of
employment opportunities for these persons.
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities was also
established in Section 31 with an Executive Secretary.