Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State has restated his administration’s commitment to dismantling all forms of barriers limiting the full participation of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in society.
The governor made this known in a goodwill message on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The message was issued through his Special Assistant on Persons with Disabilities, Mr David Anyaele.
Describing the annual observance as an opportunity to deepen understanding of disability issues, Otti said it underscores the rights of PWDs and the benefits of integrating them fully into political, economic, social and cultural life.
“We are joining the international community to pause and reflect on the state of persons with disabilities’ participation and contributions to the socio-economic development of our state,” he said.
Otti said his administration remains committed to guaranteeing the welfare of all PWDs through policies that promote equal opportunities. He noted that these efforts are guided by the Abia State Disability Law, the National Disability Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
He said the 2025 IDPD theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress,” aligns with Abia’s values and reinforces the government’s resolve to ensure that dismantled barriers never resurface.
Highlighting progress made, Otti disclosed that the state had trained Permanent Secretaries across Ministries, Departments and Agencies on disability inclusion, the state disability law and disability-responsive budgeting to promote inclusive governance.
He added that ongoing upgrades to public infrastructure prioritize accessibility, noting that newly acquired mass-transit buses now feature support systems for persons with physical disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly.
The governor further said that disability inclusion training had been extended to Local Government Mayors and Chairmen across the three senatorial districts.
“Additionally, more than 800 primary healthcare workers, teachers and parents or caregivers have been sensitized on supporting children with intellectual disabilities in Abia,” he said.
Otti reaffirmed his administration’s stand against discrimination, stigma and isolation, and pledged to scale up disability-inclusive programmes in the coming year and beyond.
