The Federal Government has said that a law mandating both public and private organisations to allocate five per cent of jobs to people with disabilities is due to be implemented soon.
The news was revealed by Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige during the 16th-anniversary celebration of the Kpakpando Foundation for Persons With Disabilities, with the theme “5% Employment Inclusion of Persons With Disabilities In Nigeria: Time to Walk the Talk” in Abuja on Saturday.
The information was welcomed by deafening applause from the gathering of over 1,000 persons with disabilities. Ngige also said the Federal Government has also devised a strategy to ensure compliance from private organisations in the country.
According to Ngige, the implementation of the policy was a significant avenue for the administration of President Muhammad Buhari to achieve greater inclusiveness in governmental bodies. The Ministry of Labor would support the Kpakpando Foundation in providing cash and materials for persons with disabilities as well, said Ngige.
Ngige also praised Kpakpando, founder and chairman, Senator Osita Izunaso for his consistency in funding and supporting Nigerians living with disabilities for the past 16 years.
Also attending the event were Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former chairman and Federal Capital Territory senate committee Dino Melaye. Together with Ngige and Izunaso, they symbolically honoured the Paralympians of Tokyo 2020. Fayemi also announced that the Ekiti State had “signed into law the Disability Act and also subscribed to the five per cent employment inclusion”.
