The executive secretary of the Enugu State Disability Commission, Sunday Egbo, has appealed to Nigerians to treat persons with disabilities with dignity, humanity and care.

Mr Egbo made the appeal in an interview on Tuesday in Enugu. He also called on institutions to eliminate barriers that hinder their access to essential services.

According to him, hospitals, banks, schools, courts, markets, and transport operators should provide disability-friendly infrastructure, including ramps and other accessible facilities, to help PWDs access public services without discrimination.

The executive secretary disclosed that the commission had intervened in several cases of alleged discrimination involving persons with disabilities, including complaints relating to airport services and recruitment processes.

“We receive reports of discrimination from different sectors. Accessibility remains a major challenge in hospitals, banks, schools, courts and many public places. These are issues the commission is committed to addressing,” he said.

Mr Egbo stressed that disability could affect anyone at any stage of life and urged members of the public to show compassion and respect to persons with disabilities.

Sharing his personal experience, Mr Egbo revealed that he lost one of his legs following a medical injection but refused to allow the disability to define his future. He said he subsequently became a legal practitioner and served in the judiciary for 12 years before his appointment as the pioneer executive secretary of the Enugu State Disability Commission.

He called on Enugu residents to recognise the commission as the agency responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Mr Egbo also appealed to members of the public to support the commission by reporting cases of discrimination and partnering with it to build a more inclusive society.

Mr Egbo said that, despite operating with limited resources, the commission was laying the foundation for the protection of the rights, welfare, education, and inclusion of PWDs across the state.

He explained that although the commission was established in 2025, it only commenced full operations a few months ago after receiving initial funding from the state government.

According to him, the commission is yet to recruit its full complement of staff and is still awaiting the renovation of its office, but has continued to carry out advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

He said the commission had been visiting relevant institutions, participating in workshops, and engaging civil society organisations, donor agencies, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of its mandate.

(NAN)