A three-day workshop aimed at empowering persons with disabilities concluded in Asaba, the Delta State capital, spotlighting a renewed push for inclusion and accessibility across the State. The event, spearheaded by the Disability Rights Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development (D-RAPID) in collaboration with the Albino Foundation TAF-Africa and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International, brought together key stakeholders in a unified call to leave no one behind in development planning.
Dr. Andrew Adaji, State Project Coordinator for D-RAPID, emphasized the initiative’s urgent mission: “This workshop ensures that development planning fully integrates the needs and voices of persons with disabilities. Everyone deserves a seat at the table.”
The event focused on developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials designed to deepen public understanding of disability laws and foster inclusion across schools, workplaces, health institutions, and communities.
Mr. Innocent Alobu, Programme Coordinator at CBM International, hailed the collaboration as a transformative moment for disability advocacy in the state. “By working hand-in-hand with stakeholders, including the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, we created jingles, billboards, and branded items aimed at dismantling harmful stereotypes and promoting dignity for all,” he said.
Communications Consultant for TAF-Africa and CBM International, Mr. Hillary Chukwuemeka, added that the workshop allowed participants to co-create messages that resonate deeply with grassroots communities, translating complex disability rights into clear, accessible communications.
Sir Stanley Rapu, the Functioning Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, commended the organizers, noting that the workshop aligns seamlessly with the MORE Agenda and supports full implementation of the Delta State Disability Rights Law.
Participants described the training as both timely and transformative, pledging sustained collaboration to build a society where disability rights are not only recognized but actively respected and protected. NIM
