…as JONAPWD calls for passage of disability bill
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigeria’steam for an outstanding performance at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari joined all sports-loving Nigerians in commending the athletes for doing the country proud, by winning 12 medals and setting new records, which made them the top-performing African team at the 2016 games.
The President extolled the resilient spirit of the Nigerian Paralympic athletes, who were able to excel in the face of adversity.
Buhari applauded the athletes for their tenacity, focus and determination, which have brought glory to the country.
The President also extended gratitude to all the officials and trainers of the Paralympic athletes, who made sacrifices and perseveredto fly the country’s colours.
Similarly, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWDs) has commended the special athletes for their feat at the just-concluded 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in Brazil.
Speaking with National Mirror in Abuja, National President of the association, Mrs. Ekaete Umoh, said the feat is highly admirable and reflective of the inestimable potentials of the over 25 million persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
According to her, this feat is not unconnected with the Paralympians’ untiring efforts to maximizing their abilities in a way that contributes to citizenship patriotism despite the non-inclusive and inaccessible environment for persons with disabilities to fully maximize their full potential within our context.
“While we are thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for believing in our capacities to contributeour quota to the course of nation building in sports and other sectors, we request the speedy harmonisation of the Nigeria Disability Bills already passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly and presidential assent for a just society which protects human rights.
“We congratulate Nigeria and indeed the disabilities community for this great feat by our Paralympians.”
She assured the nation that with enabling environment for persons with disabilities through a national
disability law and policies, they will do more.
Nigeria finished 16th in the medals table with 12 medals comprising of eight gold, two silver and two bronze, thereby emerged as the best country in Africa.
Meanwhile, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has promised more support for the developmentof the people living with disabilities to enable them to discover more talent for national and international competitions.
Saraki gave this assurance Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, when the
victorious Paralympians returned to the country.
He maintained that the support was necessary to promote sportsmen and women among the physically challenged persons and to also enhance the nation’s sports development.
“We are happy they are back; I think they’ve done very well and we need to encourage them and engage them. That should be our focus for now,” Saraki said.
from National Mirror http://ift.tt/2d3qlc3
via IFTTT
