The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), on Tuesday, restated its commitment to provide scholarship and quality education to persons with disabilities in various institutions in the country.

Its executive secretary, James Lalu, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting of Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

According to Mr Lalu, NCPWD is committed to providing scholarships and quality education to people with disabilities and ensuring they get student loans promised by President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Lalu said that a lot of positive things would happen to persons with disabilities in 2024.

“2024 is going to be a year of maximum benefit for persons with disabilities. A year of renewed hope and commitment, we look forward to collaborating with VDI and other organisations for the benefit of persons with disabilities in Nigeria,” he said.

In her remarks, the executive director of VDI, Catherine Edeh, said that the purpose of the stakeholders’ meeting was to unveil its five-year strategic plan (2023-2027) and quarterly newsletter.

According to her, it is also an avenue to present the outcome of stakeholders’ engagement in Ebonyi, Kwara and Enugu states.

Ms Edeh cautioned people against discrimination against persons with disabilities, saying that such action must stop.

Daniel Uwaezuoke, chairman of the board of trustees (BOT), VDI, stated that the unveiling of the VDI five-year strategic plan was apt and wouldn’t have been done at a better time than now.

According to him, presently, government and development partners are paying more attention to issues around inclusive plans and development.

Mr Uwaezuoke said that the meeting was an opportunity for partners to learn more about VDI with a view to forging a new partnership and collaboration agenda.

Chijioke Nwafor, a member of VDI BOT, urged parents to identify and harness the potential in their child’s disability.

Mr Nwafor said that parents should accept every child with disability challenge and not discourage such a child, adding that there are abilities in disability.

He advised parents not to hide and not to pamper a child with a disability but to give such child training and support.

(NAN)