The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has urged for increased support and the provision of sufficient facilities for individuals with disabilities in Nigeria through sports.
The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr James Lalu, made the appeal at a para football novelty match held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Lalu emphasised the need to end prejudice against individuals with disabilities while being represented by Mohammed Haruna, his technical assistant.
Haruna, who is also the President, Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) said that the Commission was collaborating with relevant stakeholders to create awareness on the rights of people with disability.
“The NCPWD has been doing a lot to sensitise the public on the rights of people with disability and the discrimination against persons with disability (prohibition) Act,” he said.
Earlier, the National President, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Mr Stanley Onyebuchi, stressed the need for more employment opportunities for people with disability.
He described sports as a veritable tool for engaging, empowering and uniting people with disability.
Abuja Team A defeated Abuja Team B 2-1 in the highly entertaining para soccer match played at the package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.