JONAPWD in Anambra Makes Case for Sustainable Inclusive Society

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter has called for a sustainable inclusive society.
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‎The call is coming as the Association joined the international community to mark the the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
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‎As part of activities marking the Day, JONAPWD, held it’s End-of-Year Meeting and Praise Day with the theme, “Let’s Praise God,”
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‎In an address in Awka, the State Chairman JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke said the annual IDPD commemoration serves as a global platform to raise awareness on disability issues, promote dignity, and advocate for policies that support a truly inclusive society.
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‎He highlighted the global 2025 IDPD theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Society for Advancing Social Progress,” emphasising that meaningful development cannot be achieved when any group, especially persons with disabilities, is excluded from education, employment, healthcare, governance, infrastructure, and community life.
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‎According to the JONAPWD boss, the event provided an ample opportunity to celebrate the resilience of persons with disabilities and reflect on key issues affecting their welfare, rights, and inclusion.
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‎Okeke noted that persons with disabilities contribute immensely to education, sports, business, culture, innovation, and governance, yet continue to face barriers that limit their full participation.
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‎He expressed concern about persistent challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Anambra State despite the existing Disability Rights Law, such as inaccessible public buildings and transport systems, limited employment opportunities, weak enforcement of disability laws, discrimination, inadequate assistive devices, poor inclusive education structures, and insufficient representation in decision-making positions.
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‎Okeke also called on the state government to strengthen enforcement of the Disability Rights Law, improve accessibility in public infrastructure, empower the Disability Commission, and expand livelihood and employment programmes
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‎He also urged religious institutions to make worship more inclusive and fight stigma within communities just as he commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on his re-election, describing the victory as a sign of public confidence.
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‎Okeke also lauded the governor and the First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, for supporting the disability community through empowerment programmes and welfare initiatives.
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‎In her lecture on health risks, symptoms and preventive/curative measures, the Chairperson of Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Dr. Amaka Onubogu said that members of disability community are at high risks of contracting non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and cancer.
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‎She listed the major causes to include smoking, dehydration, smoking, alcoholic intake, stress, overweight and hereditary factor.
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‎According to her, these diseases can be managed by meticulous observations of the bodies and symptoms.