The Disability Community in Kogi State has made a charter of demands to the state government for inclusive budgeting and full participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in governance. This charter was presented by the Kogi State chapter of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disability (NAPWPD) and the national secretariat at the Kogi State Office For Disability Affairs.

The demands included amendments to the state public finance management law, state procurement act, as well as full implementation of the provisions of Kogi State Disability law. The group is also urging for the inclusion of disability equity issues in the state’s 32-year development plan to encourage disability inclusion policies in line with the UN convention on rights of persons with disability and the national disability act.

On education, the group asked the state government to establish Education Assessment and Resource Services (EARS) to cater for peculiarities of learners with disabilities. They have also advocated for a minimum budgetary commitment of 2.5% of GDP towards disability inclusion efforts.

The state chairman of NAPWPD, Comrade Hassan Sule Destiny, called on Kogi State government to ensure persons with disabilities benefit from resource allocation and have unhindered participation in Kogi State’s growth and development. The national president of NAPWPD has encouraged PWD stakeholders to maintain dialogue with government officials for policy discussions on disability inclusion. The national secretary of the association urged the PWDs to continue their struggle for disability inclusion and that the Kogi State government complete the inclusive education policy and implement a plan for transition from ‘special’ to ‘Inclusive’ education for all learners with disabilities.