The Albinism Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to fully implement all the commitments made during the 2025 Global Disability Summit to improve the lives of persons with albinism and those with disability
The AAN Executive Director and President, Dr. Bisi Bamishe made the call at a one-day media roundtable organised by AAN and funded by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) on Wednesday in Kano.
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The programme with the theme: “To Promote Conversation Around Government For Post- GDS25 Summit To Highlight Nigeria’s Commitment and Call for Full Implementation”.
Bamishe in her keynote address titled, “The Role of Media in Promoting and Amplifying Government’s efforts for full and timely Implementation of Commitments made” emphasised the media’s role in public enlightenment and civic engagement.
“In the context of disability inclusion, the media must educate the public about the rights of persons with disabilities, inform policy developments, and challenge harmful norms that lead to exclusion,” she said.
The AAN Executive Director highlighted key commitments made by Nigeria at the summit, including inclusive employment, digital communication access, climate action, legal capacity, inclusive education, free health and social protection, among others.
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She called on the media to partner with AAN in amplifying the voices of PWDs, to the Federal Government to ensure that all the commitments made during the GDS are fully implemented.
“Let us build a media movement for inclusion—one that ensures persons with albinism and all persons with disabilities are seen, heard, and prioritized in Nigeria’s development agenda.”
In his remark, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Abdullahi Waiya said that the state government is working to establish a Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
“A bill for the commission is currently before the State House of Assembly, and once passed, will be signed into law by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf,” he said.
He said the commission will be managed by PWDs, and the state has already introduced free education and empowerment programs which has so far benefitted 2,000 PWDs across the 44 local governments.
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Mr. Joseph Akuse, AAN Program Manager, also emphasised the importance of the GDS as a platform for engaging stakeholders to create an enabling environment for PWDs.
He lauded Nigeria government for implementing the 2018 disability law passed and called for its full and timely implementation.
