The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has held a two-day workshop in Umuahia to strengthen stakeholders’ commitment to disability-inclusive climate change action in Abia State.
The event, tagged “Strengthening Stakeholders’ Commitment to Disability-Inclusive Climate Change Action in Abia,” ended on Thursday.
It drew participants from various state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Orientation Agency, and other organisations.
In his speech, the Acting Director of CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, said the workshop was organised to move the state from policy formulation to implementation, following the development of the Abia State Climate Change Policy.
He noted that CCD has been implementing a project on disability-inclusive planning, policies, and programmes in Abia since 2024, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and other MDAs. The policy has been validated and is currently awaiting Governor Alex Otti’s assent and formal launch.
“Developing a policy without supporting people on how it will be implemented is like doing only 50 per cent of the work. That is why, in collaboration with the Disability Rights Fund, we decided to train persons with disabilities (PWDs) and government stakeholders on climate change action planning and implementation,” Unumeri said.
He explained that Day One of the workshop focused on climate action planning, while Day Two focused on implementation strategies.
The Commissioner for Environment, Chief Philemon Ogbonna, represented by Dr Chris Ike, Director of Climate Change, commended CCD for consistently championing disability inclusion. He said the ministry has integrated disability concerns into key programmes, including the Abia State Clean Cooking Plan and the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan (2026–2031).
Ogbonna announced that the ministry would soon roll out a climate education and resilience programme in secondary and tertiary institutions across the 17 Local Government Areas, including schools for persons with disabilities.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu, represented by Mrs Precious Ikengwa, noted that climate change effects disproportionately affect PWDs. She said the ministry is domesticating the National Health Adaptation Plan and is committed to ensuring PWDs are not left behind.
A resource person, Mr Ikenna Ebiri, observed strong commitment from MDAs to mainstream PWDs’ concerns into climate action plans. A participant, Udodinma Egwuonwu, expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would help drive inclusive climate action in the state.
