Gather credible data amid rising numbers, Olaopa urges NCPD
The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has called on the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) to prioritize gathering credible data on the rising number of people with disabilities in Nigeria, which now stands at 35.5 million.
Olaopa made the disclosure on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by NCPD officials, led by their Executive Secretary, Chief Ayuba Gufwan.
Olaopa urged the NCPD to investigate the factors contributing to the increase in disability cases and explore ways to mitigate these challenges. He noted that reliable data would enhance the commission’s advocacy efforts and support for its members.
While commending President Bola Tinubu for his backing of the NCPD, Olaopa assured that he would bring to the attention of the Head of Service of the Federation the reported cases of discrimination against people with disabilities by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He emphasized that the FCSC strictly adheres to the statutory requirement that five percent of its employment should be allocated to persons with disabilities but challenged the NCPD to provide a clear definition of who qualifies as disabled.
The FCSC Chairman encouraged the NCPD to educate its members on utilizing employment opportunities, particularly in the sciences, where many vacancies remain unfilled. He also pledged to establish a direct communication channel between the FCSC and the NCPD to facilitate better collaboration.
Olaopa urged the NCPD to strengthen its advocacy efforts by engaging with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), other agencies, and the private sector, noting that the government alone cannot meet all the needs of people with disabilities.
He also advised the commission to identify its qualified members to ensure they are not denied opportunities due to a lack of connections. Additionally, he encouraged the NCPD to study how other countries address the needs of their disabled populations to inform their strategies.
In his remarks, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the NCPD, highlighted the discrimination faced by people with disabilities, despite many of them being qualified professionals in fields like law, medicine, and education. He shared the case of a disabled woman who was unable to take up a job offer due to the inaccessibility of the workplace.
Gufwan lamented that the number of people with disabilities continues to rise as more individuals face challenges related to aging, such as blindness, deafness, and mobility issues.
The meeting marked a step towards fostering better cooperation between the FCSC and the NCPD to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Nigeria.