Disability inclusion experts at a forum on ‘Rethinking Leadership’ have called for the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in governance
The forum which was organized by Nigeria Prize for Leadership was themed ‘Rethinking Leadership – Focus on Diversity, Integration and Inclusion.
Speaking at the event which held online, Ekaete Judith Umoh, Executive Director, FACICP Disability Plus says it is high time Nigeria began to rethink the structure of governance in the country.
“The reason we are rethinking leadership at this time especially in the context of diversity, integration, and inclusion is that we are trying to take a step or some steps backward to review how we are doing things.
“It means somehow we are beginning to understand the gaps in our delivering of leadership and maybe somehow we are also beginning to realize that some people are being left behind, and we need to address all of those collectively,” she added.
She recommended that there is need for the society to focus on eradicating the barriers that people with disabilities face instead of putting much focus in their impairments.
“We know we have impairment but our problem is not in impairment. The problem has to do with the barriers that we face, it’s our collective effort to look at addressing those barriers, so that we can participate effectively in governance.
“Taking this leadership conversation forward, we need to constructively rethink what persons with disability are and how to take their conversation forward in leadership.”
On his part, Jake Epelle, founder, Abino Foundation said it is high time leaders show true commitment to inclusion in governance.
Epelle said, “leaders should not play lip service to diversity, you must recognize everyone and give everyone the opportunity to thrive.
He said he hopes to see a Nigeria where everybody is given the opportunity to exist irrespective of their tribe or disability.