Mr-Lai/Politics Gist Circle

16/07/2024

From the office of SSAP on Community Engagement, North Central Hon. Abiodun Essiet.

Join our Citizens Assembly, not the protest

Our Citizens Assembly was created by my office in a bid to collectively tackle the problems facing the communities and to have a more inclusive society where everyone's voice can be heard.

The Citizens Assembly will create structures across the communities where all residents can express their thoughts, share their ideas, table their pleas, and reason together to find lasting solutions to all existing problems while creating prophylactic plans to prevent future problems. The Citizens Assembly offers a tremendous opportunity for citizen engagement, dialogue, collaboration, and peaceful resolution. The assembly is committed to ensuring swift information dissemination, stakeholder engagement, project participation, and continuous deliberations for meaningful outcomes.

Over five hundred indigenes/settlers of the North Central region have already registered for this initiative and pledged their commitment to volunteering roles.

I urge Nigerians, especially North Central Indigenes /settlers, not to allow themselves to be used to disrupt the strategic efforts being continuously made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.
Read more.…
onalekeolugbenga.wordpress.com/2024/07/16/abi…

21/06/2024

*REJOINDER!!!*

Sequel to the puported protest ongoing at Ubandawaki Ward over the APC councillorship candidacy, this is to notify the entire populace that everything being said and agitating for is baseless, null and void.

The consensus primary election took over at the Party Secretariat, Saladin Complex, Itan-mah Ilorin yesterday the 20th of June, 2024 in the presence of all aspirants and Party executives.

The Party went ahead to have a roundtable discussion, and aspirants displayed their competency.

It was the party executives that concluded unanimously that all the aspirants (11 in number) should start stepping down for their next preferred aspirants and they did so until they remained three (3) in number.
Those stepped down contenders were used as delegates to vote the remaining three namely *Hon. Muritala Issa Alowonle, Hon. Ibrahim Musa Aroundato and Hon. Shuaib Yahaya Aladire.*

During the open ballot system of voting, Alowonle got 4 votes including himself, Yahaya Aladire got only one vote which is himself and Aroundato polled 6 votes including himself.

This process was what produced *Hon. Ibrahim Musa Aroundato* as duly selected candidate of APC councillorship with all other aspirants appending their signatures to the endorsement.

It is now our dismay to hear that some people are out there protesting the outcome of this peaceful program.

We have investigated the sponsorship of this protest and found out that it comes from those who are not loyal to the party and always trying to hijack everything by means of violence.

They are the people who penetrated into the party of All Progressives Congress in order to be causing rancor withing the party for their own benefit.They have packed their bags and baggages to leave this great party and go back to their inglorious source to which they remained loyal.

We therefore urge the populace to remain calm and go about their normal activities because the protest doesn't come from party loyalists but anti APC members.

Ubandawaki Ward chapter of APC remains indivisible, strong, transparent and firm behind our Governor and our leaders.

Thank you all and God bless our Party.

*Sollihu Tunji Kazeem*
Ubandawaki Ward member of APC

18/06/2024

*Aroundato Declaration Ambition To Contesting For Unbandawaki Ward Councilor*

Spread the loveAhead of the local government election scheduled to be held by September 21st, a letter of declaration of ambition for the councilor unbandawaki ward by young entrepreneur Amb. Ibrahim Aroundato Musa is one of the young fine politicians...

06/06/2024

SSAP Abba Isa Commits to Implementing ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on Disability Inclusion.

… To launch B-D Project on June 27 at Villa

By Lanre Oloyede

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has demonstrated commitment to implement the newly validated ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on Disability Inclusion.

Hon. Abba Isa gave the commitment at the maiden edition of the meeting of Ministers in charge of Disability Inclusion in West Africa held in Abuja, Nigeria.

The meeting, which was called for the main purpose of validating the regional action plan on disability inclusion, began with a motion by representative from the Gambia for adoption of the draft agenda as presented to form basis of proceedings, and was seconded by representative from Sierra Leone.

The priorities areas of the regional action plan included:

Making disability inclusion a standard for measuring good governance across the West Africa region.
Establishment of a think-tank which shall comprise of experts and PWDs drawn from different OPDs to advise the Commission on issues relating to disability inclusion.
Treating disability inclusion as a human rights issue.
Strengthening the relationship and partnership between the Commission and Development partners; among others.
In his goodwill message, the SSAP stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated his office to implement the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on Disability Inclusion.

The senior presidential aide said in order to achieve this, the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, has initiated the Beyond Disability Project to help drive the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan.

According to him, the project aims to promote inclusivity and accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.

“The Beyond Disability Project will be officially launched on June 27, 2024, at the Presidential Banquet Hall, A*o Villa, Abuja, at 11:00 am. We believe that our collaboration with ECOWAS will greatly enhance our efforts towards disability inclusion. We look forward to working closely with you to achieve our shared goals,” the SSAP stated.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Abba Isa further said the Federal Government will soon commence sealing of public buildings that do not make access provisions for Persons with Disabilities.

The senior aide to President Tinubu explained that the grace period for public buildings to comply by providing access to people with disability had elapsed and soon accessibility audit of public buildings and sealing would commence as soon as presidential approval was granted.

While fielding questions from journalists in an aside interview, the SSA to the President said: “A high level technical meeting like this is for experience sharing among the regional Ministers. Disability is a peculiar issue, all the members states have their peculiar challenges that is the reason for the coming together to share experience and that led to the drafting of the Regional Action plan for disability inclusive development and the purpose of this meeting is for that action plan to be ratified and adopted. It is a policy guide and it is in line with the African charter of demand and United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities and the National Disability Act.

“Nigeria has about the highest number of Persons With Disabilities in the region. The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in line with this regional action plan on disability inclusion, and we are going to implement this regional action plan. Mr. President has mandated me to implement this regional action plan. Very soon we are going to launch accessibility committee and a presidential taskforce where we are going to engage with all the MDAs”.

“This has become necessary because the grace period given to MDAs to comply by adjusting their buildings to be disability compliant has elapsed. We are now in the post moratorium and implementation era. Every building that doesn’t comply, we are going to make sure we seal them.”

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Poverty Alleviation Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan who chaired the meeting stated that there was need for the establishment of the ECOWAS agency for disability inclusion.

Mr Enitan said the meeting of ministers in charge of disability inclusion would provide sustainable and inclusive development.

He after announced that there was need to elect a three-man Bureau of which Nigeria is automatically a member.

Thereafter, Liberia, Guinea Bissau and Cote-divoire were elected by the member states present at the meeting.

The P.S further announced the plan of ECOWAS Commission to support two member states with assistive technologies.

Speaking, the representative from Liberia and Head of the Disability Commission in the country commended and applauded Nigeria for taking the lead in terms of achievements and advancement in disability accessibility and inclusivity as witnessed by him from his experience right from the airport to the hotel.

The ECOWAS Commissioner of Humanitarian Development and Social Affairs Professor Fatou Sow assured that the sub-regional body would deploy all the necessary support to ensure social inclusion of the people with disability becomes a reality.

05/06/2024

SSA ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, NORTH CENTRAL, HON ABIODUN ESSIET.

Partnership to Strengthen Community Engagement in the Mining Sector Across Nigeria

The presidential community engagement team paid a courtesy visit to the minister of solid minerals development to discuss means of cooperation to enhance communication and collaboration between mining companies and local communities and to explore ways to ensure community development agreements CDAs are effectively implemented and monitored across Nigeria.

31/05/2024

*APC ZONAL YOUTH LEADER, NORTH CENTRAL CELEBRATES KWARA SPEAKER ON BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY*

The APC Zonal Youth Leader of North Central Geopolitical Zone, Hon. Zubair Aliyu Rogun felicitates the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly on the occasion of his birthday.

"On this occasion of Rt. Hon. Speaker's birthday, I extend my heartfelt best wishes as we celebrate not only the day of your birth but also your unwavering dedication to public service and your steadfast commitment to the development of our teaming youths."

"As the Speaker of the House of Assembly, you have demonstrated exemplary leadership, guiding us through numerous legislative sessions with wisdom, resilience, and commitment to people's oriented legislative activities."

"Today, therefore, offers us not just the celebration of your birthday but a celebration of favourable narrative change in our polity for the youths."

"Happy Birthday, RT. Hon. Speaker and may Allah bring you even greater achievements and fulfilments." The Zonal Youth Leader asserted and prayed.

*Signed:*
*Ahmad Hayatullahi Ololu (Mr Lai)*
*SSA New Media*
*APC Zonal Youth Leader, North Central*
31st, 05, 2024.

31/05/2024

A Visionary's Milestone: Celebrating *Speaker Danladi* at 39

As the sun rises over the verdant plains of Kwara-North, it heralds not just a new day but also the dawn of a transformative era. *The Kwara-Central Youth for Kwara-North Agenda 2027* stands in solidarity, celebrating a beacon of hope and progress, *Speaker Danladi*, on the auspicious occasion of his 39th birthday.

A Leader for the Future
*Speaker Danladi*, a son of the soil, has been a pivotal figure in the political landscape of Kwara State. His leadership style, characterized by inclusivity, innovation, and integrity, has endeared him to the hearts of many, particularly the youth who see in him a mentor and a champion for their cause.

The Kwara-North Agenda 2027
The Kwara-North Agenda 2027 is a visionary blueprint for sustainable development, economic growth, and social empowerment. Under *Speaker Danladi*'s guidance, this agenda promises to usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity for the region. It is a comprehensive plan that addresses the core needs of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation, laying a solid foundation for the future generations.

Empowering the Youth
*The youth of Kwara-Central* recognize the efforts of *Speaker Danladi* in empowering the Kwara-North youth to be the architects of their destiny. Through various initiatives, he has provided platforms for skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. His commitment to youth development is not just a political promise but a demonstrated priority.

A Call to Action
As we celebrate *Speaker Danladi* at 39, we, the *Kwara-Central Youth*, reaffirm our commitment to the *Kwara-North Agenda 2027*. We call upon all stakeholders—government officials, private sector leaders, civil society, and the citizens—to join hands in making this vision a reality.

*Speaker Danladi*'s 39th birthday is more than a personal milestone; it is a clarion call for collective action towards a brighter future for Kwara-North. It is a testament to what visionary leadership can achieve when coupled with the zeal and support of the youth. Here's to many more years of impactful service and to the actualization of the *Kwara-North Agenda 2027*.

Happy Birthday, Speaker Danladi!

Signed:
*Ahmad Hayatullahi Ololu (Mr Lai)*
Publicity Secretary
31st, May, 2024

29/05/2024

"On behalf of my office and the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) community in Nigeria, I, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, write to celebrate His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, on his 1-year anniversary in office.

In just one year, Mr. President has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and we have witnessed significant democratic dividends through his leadership. Through my office, we have seen notable strides in promoting equal opportunities for PWDs and marginalized communities.

We celebrate Mr. President's tireless efforts in championing the cause of PWDs, and we are grateful for the numerous initiatives and policies implemented under his administration. His dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible Nigeria is a testament to his visionary leadership.

As we mark this anniversary, we acknowledge the remarkable progress made and look forward to continued progress in the years to come. We pledge our continued support and partnership in advancing the cause of PWDs and marginalized communities.

Congratulations, Mr. President, on this milestone achievement! May your legacy continue to inspire and empower generations to come.

"

27/05/2024

Children’s Day: SSAP Abba Isa Celebrates Children With Disabilities.

By Lanre Oloyede

As Nigerians commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa @⁨Xo PWDL⁩, has celebrated the rights, dignity and well-being of children with disabilities.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Patient Ochigbo, to commemorate the day, Hon. Abba Isa stated that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remain committed to creating a society where every child can thrive, regardless of their abilities, adding that his office will continue to work with stakeholders to address the systemic barriers and biases that hinder the progress of children with disabilities.

The Senior presidential aide reaffirmed government’s pledge to prioritize the rights and empowerment of children with disabilities while calling on all Nigerians to join in this mission, recognizing that every child deserves equal opportunities and a chance to shine.

The SSAP noted that this year’s celebration is particularly significant as it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which prioritizes the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

He added that his office has been working tirelessly to advance this agenda, to ensure that children with disabilities are not left behind.

“Recently, I had the privilege of guiding the ECOWAS Commission on selection criteria for the provision of assistive devices to children with disabilities at a consultative meeting. This meeting aimed to review and validate the terms of reference for the provision of assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria. Through this collaboration, we ensured that the voices of children with disabilities were heard and their needs prioritized.

“Under President Tinubu’s administration, we have made significant strides in promoting the well-being of children with disabilities.

“To our children with disabilities, I want you to know that you are seen, heard, and valued. Your unique abilities and strengths are a treasure to our nation. We recognize that you face challenges, but we promise to support you in overcoming them. Through BD-PROJECT, we are committed to creating a society where you can thrive and reach your full potential.

“Our project captures the essence of inclusivity, ensuring that children with disabilities have access to quality education and welfare services. We shall through beyond disability project of the renown Hope agenda establish a Trust Fund to cater specifically to your needs, providing resources and opportunities for your growth and development.

“Mr. President and the entire nation love and cherish you. We believe in your abilities and potential to become ambassadors of our great nation.Mr president urge you to remain focused, pursue your dreams, and never give up. Your resilience and determination inspire us all.

“Through BD-PROJECT, we will work tirelessly to:

– Provide accessible education and healthcare services

– Promote inclusive recreational activities and social events

– Empower your families and caregivers with support and resources

– Advocate for your rights and protection

“You are the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers of Nigeria. We are committed to creating a society where you can contribute your talents and skills without barriers.

“Remember, your disability does not define you. Your abilities, talents, and determination do. You are capable of achieving greatness, and we will support your every step of the way.

“Happy Children’s Day, dear ones! May this day be a celebration of hope, inclusivity, and the promise of a brighter future for all,” the statement read in parts

25/05/2024

SSAP Abba Isa,⁩ Other CSO Heads Bid Farewell To Visiting Ford Foundation President, Darren Walker.

By Lanre Oloyede

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa, Wednesday joined other heads of Civil Society Organizations and development partners to bid farewell to the visiting President of the Ford Foundation, Darren Walker.

Mr Walker arrived Nigeria on May 19, 2024, as part of his routine visits to the Foundation’s regional offices.

According to sources, Darren Walker’s visit to Nigeria was aimed at providing an opportunity for the office of West Africa to advance its ongoing engagement with critical stakeholders in the region and also an opportunity for him to meet and interact with partners in the development and social justice sector.

At a cocktail farewell reception organized in his honour by the Ford Foundation Office of West Africa, the Senior presidential aide noted that he had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of the Ford Foundation’s development and humanitarian interventions, and support for the less privileged, particularly Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria.

In his special remark, Hon. Abba Isa said: “Under the leadership of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, we acknowledge and appreciate the Foundation’s tireless efforts to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment for all. Your commitment to social justice and human dignity is a beacon of hope for our nation and the world at large.

“Mr Walker’s visit to Nigeria has provided a unique opportunity for the Ford Foundation’s West Africa office to engage with critical stakeholders in the region, fostering meaningful partnerships and collaborations. It has also been a pleasure to see him interact with our development and social justice community, sharing his wisdom and expertise.

“Your visit to Nigeria has been more than a symbolic gesture; it has been a significant opportunity for the Ford Foundation’s West Africa office to advance its ongoing engagement with critical stakeholders in the region.

“As we bid you farewell, we do so with deep appreciation for your contributions and a renewed commitment to continue the work you have championed. Your legacy will undoubtedly endure, and the impact of your efforts will be felt for generations to come. My office is very much disposed to partner with your organisation to deliver on our shared vision of social development for people with special needs.

“Thank you, Mr. Walker, for your vision, your compassion, and your tireless dedication to making the world a better place. We wish you continued success in all your future endeavors, even as we look forward to continued collaboration and partnership, knowing that together, we can create a more equitable and just society for all.

“Farewell, Mr Walker, and may your legacy continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.”

23/05/2024

18/05/2024

Unity Fountain Family Honours SSAP Abba Isa Over His Role in 2023 Presidential Campaign.

By Lanre Oloyede

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has been honored by members of the Unity Fountain Family, UFF, for the remarkable role he played during the 2023 Presidential electioneering campaign.

The group led by its President, Hon. Faisal Lawal, commended Hon. Abba Isa for staying undeterred during the campaign for the success of President Tinubu despite all the challenges, travails and rigour of traversing the entire length and breadth of the country to campaign for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The UFF gave the commendation on Friday when its team paid a courtesy call on the Senior presidential aide in his office in Abuja.

Speaking, Hon. Lawal stated that with the emergence of Hon Abba Isa as the SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria now have reasons to smile.

He commended President Tinubu for showing passion, dedication and commitment to the welfare and well-being of PWDs and vulnerable group in the country, which according to him, the President demonstrated by appointing a man who knows the terrain very well when it comes to disability matter to handle the office.

“With your emergence, PWDs will begin to smile. Mr President is a man who cares for PWDs, this he demonstrated by appointing you to this office. We remember all your exploits and sacrifices during the electioneering campaign, despite your physical challenge, you stood through. We thank Almighty Allah for choosing you, a member of Unity Fountain Family, to man this office.

“We are here to present to you this beautiful flex. This symbolizes that you are a member of Unity Fountain Family. The role the Unity Fountain Family played during the campaign is unforgettable and you are part of that history.

“On behalf of other members nationwide, we are asked to extend their greetings to you and pray for you. They said they are ready to support and back you anytime the need arises,” Hon. Lawal stated.

In his remark, the SSA to the President welcome the group to his office on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Hon. Abba Isa recalled both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences of the electioneering campaign and how they engaged in the struggle together, travelled togethers and worked together to achieve success for the APC and for President Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election.

While extending hand of fellowship to all the members of the Family, the SSAP urged them to remain united and be ready to rally round him as his lieutenants so that they can all succeed together.

“I am one of you. We were together during the struggle, during the campaign days, we travel together, work together but everyone cannot get the appointment. However, whoever gets the appointment should extend a hand of fellowship to other members and carry every member of the family along. Though my office is one seat, but all of you are my lieutenants, ” the SSA stated.

The senior presidential aide stated that the Unity Fountain has become a symbol of democratic struggle in this country, stressing that recently “my office used same unity fountain to organize three-day inter-faith prayer and fasting among Christian and Muslims fatefuls for the peace, unity and prosperity of the nation. Once again, I really appreciate you for coming.

Highlights of the visit included presentation of roll-up flex followed by offer of prayer by a clergy who prayed for God’s grace and wisdom upon Hon Abba Isa for him to succeed in office.

16/05/2024

*KWARA SSA ON SDGs MARKS INTERNATIONAL BOY CHILD DAY, VISITS SCHOOLS IN ILORIN*

Ilorin, Kwara State - To commemorate the International Boy Child Day, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the Governor of Kwara State, *Hon. Mariam Nnafatima Imam,* visited two boys-only schools in Ilorin, the state capital.

*Hon Mariam Nnafatima* visited Government Secondary School (GSS) and Mount Carmel Secondary School, where she interacted with the students and appreciated *His Excellency,Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq's* support for gender equality initiatives.

*Hon. Mariam Nnafatima Imam* distributed instructional materials to the best students in each school and advised them to always exhibit good behavior. She emphasized the importance of education and encouraged the students to strive for excellence.

The management of both schools expressed their gratitude to the *Hon. Mariam Nnafatima* and the *His Excellency,Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq* for their continued support and commitment to the education sector.

This visit highlights *Mall. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq's* dedication to promoting *gender equality(SDGs-Goal5)* and supporting the education of all children, regardless of gender.

*Media Unit,*
*SSA SDGs to Kwara Governor*
*16th May, 2024.*

14/05/2024

SSAP ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, NORTH CENTRAL, Hon. Abiodun Easiet.

Today, the Presidential community engagement team , had the honor of visiting the Senate President his excellency, Sen. Godswill Akpabio CON. This meeting was an opportunity to formally introduce ourselves and discuss potential collaborations to benefit grassroots communities across Nigeria. We expressed our gratitude to the National Assembly for the swift passage of the 2024 budget and requested to be part of the constitution review committees at the zonal and state level.

The Senate President thanked the President for establishing our office to bridge the gap between the presidency and the grassroots. He also encouraged the other senators to include us in their various constituency activities and requested the team to continue to have a good feedback mechanism to inform policies and implementation to better the lives of those at the grassroots.

14/05/2024

Tinubu’s aide reads riot act to MDAs on accessibility of buildings.

By Lanre Oloyede

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has warned that any public office which fails to comply with the provisions of the National Disability law on accessibility of public buildings by Persons With Disabilities faces risk of being locked up.

Hon. Abba Isa gave the warning Monday at a 2-day National Disability Convening conference organized by the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, NCPWD in collaboration with Disability Right and Advocacy Centre, DRAC with funding from the Ford Foundation.

According to the organizers, the conference was organized to review progress made on the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018, including the contributions of the Foundation’s grantees/partners, and discuss strategies for effective future implementation post-moratorium.

It was also meant to validate draft reports by the Foundation on the ‘review of its grantmaking on disability inclusion in Nigeria’ and the ‘national disability inclusive data indicators’, while exploring trends in data collected by various stakeholders, and to discuss lessons learned from the Foundation’s disability-inclusive grantmaking and identify key insights to inform future program development and strategic decision-making.

Addressing journalists on the sideline of the event, the Senior Presidential aide noted that the implementation era of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 was already in full swing and needed the cooperation of the Ministry, Departments and Agencies as well as other stakeholders in the inclusivity movement.

The SSAP said: “We are here to review the strategy and progress made made so far, post moratorium, so that we can move into implementation proper.

“Very soon Mr President will launch the National Accessibility committee to make sure that we monitor this mechanism..

“The implementation of the Act is already taking effect but there’s need to create more awareness because many people are not aware of the existence of the national disability law and ignorance of the law is not an excuse. So we need to partner with Ministry of information to make sure that they create awareness. The process of implementation is gradual, accessibility is not something you can achieve overnight, but with the collaboration with NCPWD, we are doing wonderfully well in trying to see that we create awareness and make necessary collaboration with the agencies that are responsible for the implementation strategies. So we have gone far.

“All these MDAs, very soon you will see that we are going to start with the pilot phase and any MDA that fails to comply, we are going to seal them. It cannot be business as usual. We are not going to reveal all our strategies to the media but the NCPWD and my office have come up with a very robust strategy for the implementation.

The presidential aide really commended the Ford Foundation for what they are doing for the disability community, while urging other partners to support the cause of disability in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

Earlier in his address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President noted that while the passage of the Act was a significant achievement, however, it’s true impact lies in its implementation, that is, in the tangible changes it brings to the lives of persons with disabilities across the nation.

The SSAP said: “Today, as we gather to evaluate how far we have come and to forge strategy for effective implementation of the Disability Act, let us not lose sight of the ultimate goal, which is a society where every individual, regardless of their abilities, can live with dignity, respect, and opportunity. Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

“One of the fundamental pillars of effective implementation is the establishment of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. We must hold ourselves accountable for the promises we have made and the commitments we have undertaken.

“As a key agent in the quest for implementation of the National Disability Act, my office is committed to ensuring that no stone is left unturned in our efforts to achieve full compliance and implementation. We recognize the challenges that lie ahead, but we are undeterred in our resolve to overcome them.

“But we cannot do it alone. We need the support and partnership of Civil Society, development partners and all segments of society. Together, we can create a future where disability is not viewed as a barrier, but as a unique aspect of human diversity to be celebrated and embraced.

“My office is connected to 774 local government and the 36 states including the FCT and we are open to partnership and collaboration from everybody including development partners, donor agencies, OPDs, CSOs MDAs and other stakeholders in the disability community.”

While delivering the first paper of the day, Mr Rasak Adekoya in his presentation, stated that nine domains of concern have been identified as strategy for implementing the National Disability Act.

Mr Adekoya explained some of the domains to include whether or not each state government are domesticating the National Disability Act as well as if they are implementing it.

He noted that currently we have about 23 States that have domesticated the law and of these 23, only 10 have set up disability agencies. He queried that even those who have set up the agencies, to what level are they implementing the act?

Mr Adekoya mentioned other domains to include Accessibility of Public Infrastructure and Judiciary and security institutions.