Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to removing all barriers hindering persons with disabilities (PWDs) from fully participating in society, declaring it “a must” as the state joins the global commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025.
Gov Otti emphasized that his government is dedicated to promoting equal opportunities, guided by the Abia State Disability Law, the National Disability Act, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Key initiatives include upgrading public infrastructure for accessibility, equipping mass-transit buses with features for PWDs, and training officials on disability inclusion and responsive budgeting.
“We are joining the international community to pause and reflect on the state of persons with disabilities’ participation and contributions to the socio-economic development of our State,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s dedication to disability inclusion, the Governor noted: “We are determined to guarantee the well-being of all persons with disabilities through the promotion of equal opportunities, guided by the Abia State Disability Law, the National Disability Act, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
Speaking on the theme for the 2025 IDPD, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” Governor Otti said the theme aligns perfectly with the value Abia State places on disability inclusion.
“To ensure the sustainability of our investments in persons with disabilities and to ensure that barriers removed never reappear, we have built the capacity of Permanent Secretaries across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies on disability inclusion, the Abia State Disability Law, and disability-responsive budgeting,” he stated. “This will help ensure that no one is left behind in government programmes and activities by reason of disability.”
He further highlighted ongoing efforts at improving accessibility: “Our public infrastructure is being upgraded to accommodate persons with different forms of disabilities. The newly acquired mass-transit buses, for instance, are equipped with accessibility features for persons with physical disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly.”
The Governor also disclosed that similar capacity-building initiatives have been extended to the Local Government level. “We have trained Local Government Area Mayors/Chairmen across the three Senatorial Zones on disability inclusion. Additionally, over 800 Primary Healthcare Workers, Teachers, and Parents/Caregivers have been sensitized on supporting children with intellectual disabilities in Abia State.”
“Therefore, we will continue to say no to all forms of discrimination, stigma, and isolation of Abians by reason of disability,” the Governor affirmed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Persons with Disabilities, Mr. David Anyaele.
Governor Otti, while wishing all Abians with disabilities a happy celebration, emphasized that his administration is fully committed to scaling up the State’s response to disability issues in the coming year and beyond. “As we restore the glory of Abia and make her truly the number one State in Nigeria—God’s Own State—no one will be left behind by reason of disability,” he concluded.
