The national president of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disability in Nigeria (NAPWPD), Rilwan Muhammed, wants persons with disabilities to occupy leadership positions.

Mr Muhammed made the call on Wednesday in an interview in Kaduna, as Nigeria prepares to mark its 66th independence anniversary on October 1.

He said his vision for Nigeria at 66 was an inclusive country where every citizen, particularly vulnerable groups, would be treated equally.

“I envision an inclusive Nigeria where everybody will be on board and everybody will be treated equally, particularly the vulnerable ones categorised as persons with disabilities,” he said.

According to him, true independence should produce a society where persons with disabilities could become governors, ministers, commissioners and occupy other positions of responsibility.

He said leaving any segment of the population behind undermined the essence of independence and called for deliberate measures to ensure greater inclusion.

Mr Muhammed said the prolonged military rule affected persons with disabilities, particularly their ability to advocate for their rights and participate actively in national affairs. He, however, noted that the return to democracy in 1999 had created opportunities for persons with disabilities to contribute to governance and public administration.

Mr Muhammed cited the appointment of some persons with disabilities as advisers and board members of government agencies as part of the progress recorded since 1999. He also welcomed the establishment of a national commission dedicated to disability issues, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen advocacy for inclusion and accessibility.

The association’s president said accessibility should go beyond constructing ramps and providing lifts, stressing that it must address the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. He said visually impaired persons should have access to information, while persons with hearing impairment and albinism should equally enjoy unhindered access to public facilities and services.

“My dream and prayer is to see Nigeria having all these things in place so that we will truly believe that we are an independent country,” the NAPWPD president said.

Mr Muhammed also identified leadership and citizens’ participation as critical factors affecting the achievement of a truly inclusive society. He said some leaders prioritised personal interests over the welfare of citizens, thereby limiting public participation in decisions concerning national resources.

He said an independent country should have structures that allowed every citizen to participate and contribute, insisting that national resources belonged to all Nigerians.

(NAN)