By correspondent in Abuja.
The Presidency has called on Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to reject the call for nationwide protest, because the organisers “do not mean well for the peace and stability in the country”.
Mr Abba Isah, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunity made the appeal on Monday in Abuja
Briefing newsmen on the protest scheduled for Aug. 1 to Aug 10 against hardship in the country, Isah urged members of the disability community to ignore the elements calling for protest.
He said President Bola Tinubu is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of over 35.1 million population of PwDs in the country.
“PwDs, despite being the most vulnerable, have chosen to place their faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu’s administration which we believe has a long-term benefits for all Nigerians” he said.
He said the commitment of the administration to the welfare of PwDs was evident in the N1 billion investment initiative of the “Beyond Disability Project”, which restored hope among PwDs.
Isah added that the Tinubu administration also allocated 10 per cent of all social intervention programmes in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as five per cent employment opportunities in the MDAs for PwDs.
He assured that the administration would continue to prioritise the economic and social inclusion of PWDs in the country.
The SSAP, therefore appealed to the disability community not to be distracted by “some elements that want to destabilise the progress so far recorded by the current administration”.
” The essence of this news conference is to inform the public on the position of the disability community regarding the proposed nationwide protest which in our opinion will not be in the interest of Nigeria.
”I urge all Nigerians, especially persons with disabilities to reject the call to protest. Let us stand together in unity and support to our government and work towards a brighter future for all.
”Our patience and cooperation with the government will pave the way for continued progress and prosperity of our dear nation,” he said.
