Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission, Hon. Saleh Barde Keana, who was recently appointed and sworn in by Governor Abdullahi Sule, in this exclusive interview with Nasarawa Newsline’s General Editor, Shuaibu Usman, revealed how the founding thrust of the organisation will be attained as he commits to promoting, protecting and prioritising the welfare, equality and rights of persons living with disabilities in the state as well as his concerns in ensuring transparency, accountability and dedication in the management of the commission.
Excerpts:
NN: Your mandate as a Commission cuts across the protection, promotion and prioritisation of the welfare and equality of PWDs in the state, tell us your thoughts and insights in bringing your experience to steer the affairs of the PWDs for the better?
Barde: The creation of Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission was apt. His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule in one year implemented the law after being assented to by his predecessor, Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura because he has the love, compassion and commitment to seeing equality, welfare and development of the PWDs in the state. His Excellency has constituted the leadership of the Commission and by God’s grace I am the Chairman of the Commission. We will uphold the principle of equality. We will raise awareness about the PWDs rights. We will ensure empowerment of our members and effective coordination to prioritise inclusion. We have the responsibility to see that these things are achieved.
Also, our education is very important. His Excellency has ensured that we have free education from primary to tertiary levels. I must thank His Excellency for this gesture. It is laudable and delightful to all of us.
NN: Let’s talk about inclusion. With the constitution of this Commission, will you say that the government has driven inclusivity in governance?
Barde: To be fair, our people had never been included in the governance of this state like it has been done by His Excellency now in the history of our state. This inclusivity has never been demonstrated like now. He is the first governor in Nigeria to implement the 5% for PWDs in employment. I could remember when I was at the polytechnic to ensure that we were carried along during the recent recruitment, the then Rector told me His Excellency has directed me to ensure his people are carried along that’s the PWDs and we got our 5% from it. Even other states can’t compare themselves with Nasarawa State on Disability Rights adherence and inclusion. We will continue to appreciate his efforts in enhancing development and bringing us together. You can see that in this Commission, the Board consists of the physically challenged, the blind, the deaf and others. So, there is inclusion on our part and we remain committed to pursuing the right cause.
NN: Tell us about your plan for partnership and linkages with CSOs, NGOs to achieve your goals?
Barde: The Executive Secretary of the National Disability Rights Commission attended our inauguration, slept in Lafia and had engagements with us on rights issues. This will tell you how focused we are to partner relevant stakeholders to achieve our objectives. We are partnering with YIAGA Africa, McDonald Foundation, Inclusive Friends and others with talks ongoing. Our results will speak for us. The disability community in Nasarawa State will start to see change in what the Commission represents.
NN: What is the cherished legacy you will like to leave as the Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission?
Barde: Education, employment and empowerment. The state government has given us free education. The Commission has a responsibility to go to MDAs to see that our graduates secure jobs. We will do that. I will strive to see we have a very befitting office structure for ourselves. Even my members do not have offices. Some staff too. But we’ll do what we can to have a better place in order to work well.
NN: What’s your call to the PWDs, government and other stakeholders now that you have assumed office to hit the ground running?
Barde: I call on all to support this Commission. Government can’t do it all for us. The PWDs by the virtue of our conditions need support, love and encouragement to realise our goals in life. So, please we need everyone’s assistance as we move on. Thank you very much.