Abuja, Nigeria – In what look like tears of joy, yet emotional laden voice, the All Progressive Congress (APC) House of Representatives Candidate for Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Mrs. Juliet Egbo, received hundreds of persons with disabilities who unexpectedly and uninvited stormed her residence in Enugu in the early morning of Friday to show solidarity and throw their supports behind her candidature. They came in numbers of buses and their private vehicles.
Addressing Mrs Egbo, the leader of the visiting disabled persons, Comrade Ejike Arinze said amongst the candidates of various political parties, only Mrs Egbo has people with disabilities in mind and has room to improve their wellbeing if elected to the National Assembly.
“I can’t really thank you enough for having us here today. We are following up with all candidates of all political parties, you are the only candidate that constantly and consistently remember us in your campaign manifesto and political communication platforms,” he said.
Continuing, Arinze added, “More than anything else, we appreciate your profound expression, support to the physically challenged persons. You are incredibly powerful. We are grateful to be able to get some of the feedback, your planned bills for the rights of the physically challenged persons; to hear about what you are doing and to hear what else we can do to support your efforts.
“It doesn’t just happen, though, magically. It takes the extraordinary commitment of great minds to underakes incredible work like yours, to help connect us to the society.
“We are behind you. We will give you our maximum votes,” he assured.
Speaking also, Kosisochukwu Edeh, said, “what a pleasure it is to be here with my friends and colleagues, to interact with a great leader, Hon Mrs Juliet Egbo.
“We’re just anxious – to hear about the efforts thar she wants to make at the national assembly. And we are just thankful for the chance to listen to her and hear from her today about all her plans for the physically challenged persons.
“It’s exceptionally powerful to see her walk down the line and talk to the physically challenged persons, she is our beacon of hope, and making of our future is here.”
Again, Anumba Gabriel said, “ultimately, it takes individuals who are extraordinary minded to think about the better policies and constitutional rights of the disabled persons to make them become part of this country, part of the future.”
Emotion moment unfolded when the visitors in their deferent degrees of disabilities donated sum money they had tasked themselves to support Mrs Egbo campaign and outrightly endorsed her candidature. At this point, Mrs Egbo could not hold back tears, her emotions failed her, she broke down. Its unprecedented!
Momentarily, she said, “What I’m hearing and what I’m seeing and feeling as I talk to people from across Enugu North and South Federal Constituency is an absolute energy, desire for better change. So we’re excited about that, but I’m more excited about the fact that I’m actually having the support and endorsements of the physically challenged persons.
She lamented that physically challenged persons have been marginalised in the society, their needs unmet and elected office holders have failed to assist us.
“But let’s keep in mind that the days that come ahead, gives us optimism and hope for this country. And we need to work toward that end.”
Mrs. Egbo promised to focus more on advancing the human rights of persons with disabilities, stating that she will work with all arm of government, including civil society organizations to increase commitment to protect their human rights, inclusion, and full participation of persons with disabilities in governance.
“When we get to the National Assembly, I will be launching “Ability In Disability Skills”, a personal sponsorship initiative that will create new opportunities for physically challenged persons to directly be sponsored to acquire two skills.
“The Ability In Disability Skills” will help physically challenged persons to receive training, support, and employment, and be connected with other essential services, enroll their kids in school,” she said
According to her, Nigeria being a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, she will promote bills that will build an economy that is more inclusive, more just, and more accessible for millions of Nigerian with disabilities and their families.
“I believe that every disabled person should be treated with dignity and have a fair shot at getting ahead. That means amending our laws, policies, and culture to ensure full inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all parts of our country,” she said
Assuring that she will prioritize bills and pursue policies to break down the barriers for people with disabilities, “which will give them statutory percentage in government and private workforce; good jobs in competitive, integrated employment; affordable, accessible, and integrated housing; accessible and affordable transportation; inclusive voting processes; and any needed long-term services and supports.”
She promised to introduce bills and cosponsored many more that will ultimately be enacted into law. Many of these laws will be dedicated to providing equal rights to people with disabilities, including Compulsory Free Education Act that will grant comprehensive free educational to PhD level to individuals with Disabilities
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