Chinedum Elekwachi
The Anambra State Disability Rights Commission on Wednesday revealed that Anambra remained the first state in West Africa to have a Permanent Secretary with visual impairment.
Chairman, Chukwuka Ezewuzie made the disclosure in Awka during a press briefing as part of activities marking 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), themed, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”
He said the state at some point, had three Permanent Secretaries with disabilities serving as the Chief Accounting Officers of their respective Ministries.
According to Ezewuzie, Anambra also became the first in the Southeast to enact a law which domesticated, as required, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
“Anambra State is also the first in the South East to have a Commission that works daily to provide the much-needed protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
“It was the first State to appoint a political officeholder with a disability who has both a voice and a vote in the State Executive Council.
Anambra showing the way
“Anambra State knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
“Therefore, we are proud to celebrate the fact that we are no longer the only State with these inclusive developmental strides for the disability community.
“Other States have followed—Sokoto State (which consulted with us), Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, and most recently, Enugu—all now have disability laws and have made various political appointments benefiting persons with disabilities.
He attributed the numerous feats to the Commission’s unique leadership in the state.
Ezewuzie further hinted that most South-East States have established Disability Commissions to serve the interests of persons with disabilities.
“Anambra State was also the first State to embark on massive employment of persons with disabilities into the civil service workforce.
“The State Disability Rights Commission remains committed to motivating and mobilizing the disability community to key into all programs and projects designed to achieve the solution vision and mission of Mr. Governor to identify and care for persons with disabilities at the kindred level within the 326 political wards of Anambra State.
Challenges persist
The Commission’s boss however identified inaccessible infrastructure, discrimination and stigma, limited economic opportunities, inadequate legal protection as among problems facing the Commission.
“To address these challenges, the Commission has plans to promote inclusive education, enforce accessibility standards, provide economic empowerment and advocate for policy change.
“The Commission also has some existing specific plans underway to improve lives of PWDs in the state including establishment of Access Market Pavilion, Disability Counselling Centre, Liaison Officers, Accessibility Enforcement, International Day of Persons with Disabilities and Legal Representation.
“The commission is working to ensure that persons with disabilities are included in all aspects of social, educational, and economic life of the society.
“In spite of the enormous challenges facing the operations of the commission, the impact of these plans on the disability community will be revolutionary and life transforming,” Ezewuzie posited.
