Britain implores Nigeria to pass disability bill By Abosede Musari, Abuja

THE British High Commission has implored
Nigeria to pass into law the Nigerian Disability
Bill with a view to addressing the plight of those
with special needs.
In a statement from the High commissioner, Paul
Arkwright, to commemorate the Human Rights
Day today, he urged that the country should work
to make disabled persons, who are usually the
poorest in the society, to have a sense of
belonging, pledging his commitment to work with
government in achieving the goal.
I appeal to the relevant authorities to implement
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities and its optional protocol by ensuring
the passage of the Nigerian Disability Bill into
law. The Act will provide for the establishment of
a National Commission for persons with
disabilities which will serve as the platform for
the implementation and enforcement of all
provisions of the Disability Act.
“On our part, we will continue to work with the
Nigerian Government, NGOs and civil society to
promote human rights for all including those
living with disabilities.
“Already, the UK Department for International
Development has a number of programmes
designed to address some of the exclusion people
with disabilities have to deal with,” Arkwright
said.
Meanwhile, three Nigerian youths have been
selected for the young leadership award from Her
Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Imrana Alhaji Buba,
Olanrewaju Adeloye and Olumide Femi
Makanjuola are among the 60 young people from
across the Commonwealth who are being
recognised as exceptional leaders in their
communities.
These 60 young people will receive a prestigious
Queen’s Young Leaders Award.
The statement further indicated that the award
will be presented in London by the Queen in
2016, and is part of her Young Leaders
Programme.
The award celebrates the achievements of young
people who are taking the lead to transform the
lives of others and make a lasting difference in
their communities.
This year’s award winners, aged between 18 and
29 and who come from all over the
Commonwealth, are working to support others,
raise awareness and inspire change on a variety
of different issues, including education, climate
change, gender equality, mental health and
disability equality.
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in
partnership with Comic Relief and The Royal
Commonwealth Society, had established The
Queen’s Young Leaders Programme in honour of
Her Majesty’s 60 years of service to the
Commonwealth at the time of her Diamond
Jubilee.
The awardees are to attend a week-long
residential programme in the UK in June after
which they will receive the award at Buckingham
Palace.