The Anambra State Disability Rights Commission has announced the establishment of a fund dedicated to persons living with disabilities. This initiative was disclosed by the Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie, during a media briefing following the Commission’s quarterly meeting held last Tuesday.
The Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, created under Section 3 of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018, serves as a comprehensive hub for disability services and related matters in the state.
During the meeting, the commission adopted two significant action plans: the creation of the disabilities fund and the appointment of liaison officers in the state’s 21 local government areas, 179 communities, and 326 wards. These officers will be responsible for overseeing the welfare of their members.
Barrister Ezewuzie outlined plans to lift persons with disabilities out of poverty through the establishment of the “Access Market Pavilion (AVP),” which will include a cooperative society for members, credit facilities for entrepreneurs with disabilities, and trade fairs for skilled individuals and merchants with disabilities.
The fund, as mandated by Section 16 of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018, will be led by Bishop Moses Ezedebego, a commission member appointed as chairman of the fundraising committee.
The chairman also expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for approving funding to furnish and equip the Commission with modern amenities and acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Pat Okeke, a commission member whose family donated classroom and hostel blocks to Central School, Odoakpu Onitsha, a special school for the deaf.
Furthermore, Barrister Ezewuzie highlighted the achievements of the Commission’s members, including their participation in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for young African leaders, and praised the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption program (ROLAC) for supporting accessibility audits of state ministries, departments, and agencies.
The efforts, he noted, are aligned with Governor Soludo’s vision for persons living with disabilities in Anambra State.
