TAF Africa donates wheelchairs, crutches, others to PWDs in Delta
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called for stronger policy implementation, inclusive governance and an end to systemic discrimination at a town hall meeting in Asaba, Delta State. The event, organised
- Stakeholders push disability rights at summit
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called for stronger policy implementation, inclusive governance and an end to systemic discrimination at a town hall meeting in Asaba, Delta State.
The event, organised by News Central Television in collaboration with The Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa), brought together over 200 participants, including PWDs, policymakers, advocates, community leaders and health care professionals.
Held at BON Hotel, the forum focused on persistent challenges affecting PWDs, such as limited access to education, employment and health care, as well as poor infrastructure and weak enforcement of disability laws.
As part of efforts to support inclusion, TAF Africa donated wheelchairs, crutches, walking aids and other assistive devices to more than 50 beneficiaries.
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Organisers said the recipients were carefully selected based on demonstrated need and limited access to such essential support.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, stressed the need to move beyond charity-driven approaches to disability issues and prioritise enforceable rights.
“What we have done here today is to shift from mere conversation to tangible commitment that will produce the expected outcome,” he said.
Epelle also called for the full implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Act, noting that enforcement remains weak despite existing legal frameworks.
He urged Delta State Government to address concerns surrounding the one per cent threshold provision in its domesticated disability law, describing it as an error that should be corrected.
Participants at the forum shared personal experience of exclusion and discrimination.
A visually impaired teacher recounted years of difficulty securing employment due to bias, while another participant highlighted accessibility challenges within tertiary institutions, noting that inadequate facilities often hinder full participation in academic activities.
Stakeholders also emphasised the need for greater representation of PWDs in governance.
The President of ISJID, Isaac Odjuwu, urged federal and state governments to create designated seats for persons with disabilities in legislative bodies to ensure their voices are reflected in policymaking.
Declaring the event open, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. (SAN) Epiphany Azinge, called for a shift from sympathy to practical solutions rooted in justice and equity.
He urged PWDs to remain resilient, while encouraging government and stakeholders to prioritise inclusive infrastructure.
Managing Director of News Central Television, Kayode Akintemi, said the initiative underscored the organisation’s commitment to amplifying marginalised voices and driving social change.
The town hall featured interactive sessions where participants proposed solutions and community-driven initiatives.
Organisers pledged to sustain advocacy efforts aimed at advancing inclusion and improving the welfare of persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
