By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Federal Government has disclosed plans to partner with the media with a view to ensuring that no journalist suffers discrimination or mistreatment on account of disability in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba dropped the hint on Tuesday while addressing Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ, FCT Council Committee on Disability, led by Comrades Jide Oyekunle and Kehinde Akintola in Abuja.

Abba reiterated the present administration’s resolve towards the provision of safe, accessible, and disability-friendly environments are provided for Persons with Disabilities, PWDs across the country.

While conveying the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and on behalf of over 35.1 million Nigerians with disabilities to the NUJ delegation, he added that the federal government was committed to the improved welfare of PWDs.

“The President is committed to creating avenues of opportunity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) by liaising and building strong collaborations with ministries, departments, and agencies of government, civil society organizations, development partners, and, importantly, with professional bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

“One of our biggest partners in fulfilling this mandate is indeed the media. Without the media, our voices cannot be amplified; and when our voices are not amplified, they cannot be heard.

“This is why we place a very high premium on our relationship with the NUJ, because through your platform, not only can we give visibility to the challenges faced by PWDs, but we can also showcase their talents, innovations, and contributions to national development,” he stressed.

While underscoring the importance of the media in achieving the feat, Abba expressed his readiness to partner with NUJ in the bid to advance inclusive development and build a society where no one is left behind.

“Furthermore, beyond amplifying voices, my office also has the responsibility of ensuring that safe, accessible, and disability-friendly environments are provided for PWDs in all spheres, including the workplace.

“My office will be working hand in hand with the NUJ FCT Council under the able leadership of Comrade Grace Ike to ensure that no journalist suffers discrimination or mistreatment on account of disability.

“On this note, permit me to specially commend Ms. Grace Ike, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Chapter, for her foresight and leadership in establishing this noble Committee.

“This is the first of its kind in the Nigerian media industry, and it is a bold demonstration of her commitment to inclusion and the protection of disability rights. History will remember her kindly for this initiative.

In her remarks, Chairman, NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike expressed NUJ FCT Council’s resolve to work with various Stakeholders working in the field of gender equality, ethical journalism, preventing, defending the press freedom, and advancing the role of media in democracy.

Comrade Ike who was represented by Secretary of the Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle who expressed delight over the appointment of Hon. Abba by Mr. President, pledges the Union’s resolve to collaborate by championing the advocacy on the well-being of Persons with Disabilities.

She said: “This visit is not only to express solidarity, but also to reaffirm our willingness to work with your Office in driving awareness, correcting stereotypes, as well as negative identities which many people have placed on Persons with disabilities.

“So we are working towards eradicating that stereotype, that negative identity. We are aware of the challenges confronting your Office, maybe limited resources, societal attitudes, sometimes inadequate implementation of existing laws and policies.

“The NUJ FCT Council pledges to use its vast platform across Print, Broadcast, and digital media to highlight these challenges constructively and to showcase the progress being made.

“To explore the structural collaboration with your office through media campaign to sensitize the public on the rights and potentials of persons with special needs; Capacity building program for Journalists on disability sensitivity reporting.”

She disclosed that the NUJ FCT Council Committee on Disability led by Comrade Kehinde Akintola has done a whole lot of work on the intervention, the area of intervention that we need for our members.

On his part, Chairman, NUJ FCT Council Committee on Disability, Comrade Kehinde Akintola while applauding the feats achieved by Hon. Abba since assumption of office, harped on the need for enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 which he described as a monumental step.

While noting that the full implementation remains a significant challenge, particularly within the media industry, six years after the Act was signed into law by late President Muhammadu Buhari, Comrade Akintola urged the Senior Special Adviser to the President to set up a Presidential Committee on that will ensure compliance at all levels.

The highpoint of the courtesy visit was the presentation of a Charter of requests to the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities for consideration and implementation.