Bankole urges governors to encourage domestication of PWD Act 2018
By Joel Oladele-Abuja
The National Leader of the People with Disabilities (PWDs) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Tolu Bankole has appealed to the State Governors to stop playing lip service to the domestication of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition), Act 2018 as a matter of urgency.
Bankole made this appeal during a meeting with the zonal leaders of PWDs at the APC National Secretariat over the weekend in Abuja.
While appreciating president Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Bill, he urged State Governors to play their own part as that remains the only lasting legacy any governor can bequeath to the PWDs community in his state.
“We are passionately appealing to the state Governors, Speakers of State House of Assembly and distinguished stakeholders to ensure immediate passage and domestication of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 as signed by our dearest President Muhammad Buhari as a matter of urgency and life saving.
“The only gift and enduring legacy any governor can bequeath to the PWDs community is to domesticate the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 in his state.
“We are looking forward to seeing the appointment of PWDs as Ministers, Commissioners, Chairpersons of major statutory boards and parastatals of government henceforth.” Bankole said.
Speaking further, Bankole said people with disabilities should not be served crumbs as they are an integral part of the society and their welfare should be of utmost importance to any government. He added that they are ready to play their part for the victory of APC in all elections, especially Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket which he described as the best for the country.
“We resolved to take a radical shift from business as usual where giving handouts such as wheelchairs, cups of staples, spaghetti, among others in the name of empowerment is all PWDs benefit.
“We shall mobilise PWDs for PVC collection to ensure victory for the BAT/Shettima Presidential ticket because it is the best for Nigeria.
“Therefore, we have marshalled plans to mobilise PWDs for APC victory in all elections and consequently secure a better life and economic prosperity for our members.
“We will go back to our states and zones to establish all inclusive PWDs campaign structure to the polling units to work for the re -election of our Governors and other candidates of the party. While doing this, we will respect the party’s constitution and leadership structure.
“We agreed to set up PWDs Campaign Council for BAT/Shettima 2023 to ensure victory knowing that APC is for Nigerians and Nigerians are for APC.
“In a bid to engender unity in our ranks, reconciliatory moves are ongoing at the National, Zonal and State levels to pacify all members of the community.”
As part of efforts to scale up advocacy for better life for PWDs via economic empowerment and financial inclusion, Bankole said a workshop to train, re-orientate and significantly improve the capacity of PWDs leaders at Zonal and State levels is billed for the first week of August in Abuja.
“Our quest to change the economic fortunes of the members of the PWDs community through dignifying, resourceful and sustainable opportunities will gain momentum soon. We will put in place workable plans and programmes, designed in recognition of the peculiarities of the needs and challenges of each zone.
“Approvals have been given to all zonal leaders to initiate and implement programmes in their zones and the respective states.”
The APC, Zonal Leaders thereafter passed a vote of confidence on the National Leader, PWDs, Hon Tolu Bankole for his sterling and unifying leadership since assuming office.
Bankole further appreciated president Mohamadu Buhari and the Senator Abdulahi Adamu led National Working Committee(NWC) of APC for their support so far.
“President Buhari has shown commitment by his various intervention programmes for PWDs, that he is indeed a progressive leader and a man of history. We call on all clusters of PWDs in Nigeria and in the diaspora to scale up their support for this great leader.
“We profusely appreciate the support we have enjoyed under the leadership of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the National Chairman, and all members of NWC for their consistent support and solidarity with PWDs”
