By Salisu Sani-Idris
The Chairman of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd. (PAN), Alhaji Ahmed Wadada, has urged governments at all levels to improve access to healthcare services for person living with disabilities.
Wadada, a former member of House of Representatives, made the call when he donated a utility vehicle to leadership of persons living with disabilities at the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, on Wednesday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
He said that his concern to the plight of persons with special needs was natural, assuring that he would continue to sacrifice his resources and energy to improve the wellbeing of persons with disabilities.
The founder of Keffi Polo Ranch advised government and private organisations to modify public buildings, structures, and automobiles to make them accessible and usable for people with disabilities.
He also stressed the need for the three ties of government to ensure full implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
Wadada, who is vying for the Senatorial position of Nasarawa West, said authorities should put effective measures in place for its implementation to ensure equal treatment and participation of people with disabilities in the country.
He noted that the law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and imposes sanctions including fines and prison sentences on those who contravened it.
The former lawmaker, who advocated enhanced educational support for persons with disabilities, disclosed that his education foundation would continue to accord priority to their education and health needs.
Responding, the Director of Persons with Disabilities, Wadada Frontiers, Malam Idris Muhammad, thanked Wadada for his continued assistance toward ensuring the wellbeing of persons with special needs in Nasarawa State.
“On behalf of the persons with special needs of Wadada Frontiers, I hereby express our profound appreciation to Wadada for his efforts towards addressing the plights of persons with special needs, be it health, education, welfare.
“Most importantly, the donation of vehicle is to ease the movement of persons with special needs.
“I therefore declare our total support to the Senatorial ambition of Wadada due to his empathy, competency, credibility, and passion for human empowerment and development,” Muhammad said.
The highpoint of the event was presentation of the key of the vehicle to leader of person with special needs, Mr Muhammad. (NAN)