Cooperative Society Promotes Disability Inclusion

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Multipurpose Cooperative Society of the Total E&P Nigeria has sponsored an initiative for People with disability (PWD) in the country. It was to raise awareness on the need for a robust inclusion programmes for the group.

The Head of Legal, Compliance and Communications of Total E&P Cooperative, Mr. Henry Hector-Amiwero, disclosed in Lagos recently that the initiative was known as ‘Diary of a Special Needs Mum.’

According to Hector-Amiwero, “We advocate that although PWD are different, they can make a difference even in our nation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promotes the full integration of persons with disabilities in societies.

“Government shall ensure that the education of persons living with disability, particularly children who are blind, deaf or with multiple disabilities, is delivered in the most appropriate languages, modes and means of communication for the individual, and in environments which maximises academic and social development,” he said.

He maintained that disability inclusion addresses the discrimination that may come from people who are different and implored government and stakeholders to promote proactive measures that would affect their lives.

“To systematically engage with PWD to deliver meaningful participation and consultation to ensure that their views are reflected in all aspects of the response including assessment, design, delivery and monitoring and evaluation.

“To contribute to developing and maintaining the knowledge and skills of humanitarian actors so they are able to identify the needs of marginalised people and deliver appropriate and accessible assistance, Work with those responsible for humanitarian coordination to ensure that coordination mechanisms guarantee the needs of all affected people.

“To collect, fully disaggregate, and utilise data for different population. Effective data mining to understand the needs of affected demographics could be done in collaborations with the National Bureau of Statistics for proper extrapolation of information,” he added.