One Year in Office: SSAP Abba Isa Showcases Remarkable Catalogue of Extraordinary Achievements

… Expresses gratitude to President Tinubu for opportunity to serve

…. Says there’s a lot more to achieve for PWDs in Nigeria with more support, partnership and collaboration from stakeholders, development partners

By Lanre Oloyede

In a heartfelt celebration marking one year since his appointment, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has reflected on a transformative year of achievements for Nigeria’s Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

In a special anniversary address, the Senior presidential aide expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the platform and opportunity to serve the teeming community of Persons With Disabilities in NIgeria, emphasizing that his role is only the beginning of a broader mission.

In his address, titled ”Celebrating One Year of Extraordinary Achievements of Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa as SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities”, release on Saturday, Hon. Abba Isa recalled the moment of his appointment on November 9, 2023, and described how he and his team hit the ground running armed with the mandate and marching order by the president to create avenues of opportunities for PWDs to thrive within the ambit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

This agenda, he explained, is aimed at fostering an inclusive, equitable society where PWDs can thrive across all spheres.

Hon. Abba Isa’s appointment signaled a commitment by President Tinubu to bring disability inclusion to the forefront of national policy, underscoring the integration of PWD needs across various government departments, subnational authorities, and development agencies.

In his reflection, the presidential aide outlined 13 key areas where his office has made remarkable strides in advocating for PWD rights and advancing their opportunities.

While reeling out a well outlined catalogue of outstanding achievements from assumption of office till date, the SSAP highlighted the critical need for continued support, partnership, and collaboration from stakeholders and development partners to drive inclusive progress stating that there’s a lot more to achieve for PWDs in Nigeria with more support, partnership and collaboration from stakeholders, development partners.

Here’s the full text of the release: Celebrating One Year of Extraordinary Achievements of Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa As SSA To the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities Distinguished friends and colleagues, development partners and all stakeholders in the disability community,

I bring you warm greetings and compliments of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

It is with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you today in commemoration of the 1st Anniversary of my appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his Senior Special Assistant on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities.

I sincerely appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for founding me worthy of his appointment into this exalted office to help bring to reality his desire to see Persons With disabilities benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration. I am also grateful to Mr President for providing me with the platform and opportunity to serve the teeming community of Persons With Disabilities in NIgeria under his administration.

My sincere gratitude also goes to all our partners, colleagues, OPDs, MDAs, Subnational authorities, development partners and all other stakeholders who have worked with my office to make this last one year a huge success.

Without any doubt, this administration has been dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens. As the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, it is my honor to reflect on our achievements over the past one year and to share our vision for the future.

On November 9, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in line with his desire to see every segment of the Nigerian society sufficiently catered to within the ambit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, appointed me as his Senior Special Assistant on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities to advance disability inclusion and ensure equitable access to opportunities for individuals with special needs across Nigeria.

This appointment reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to building a more inclusive society that integrates persons with disabilities (PWDs) into national development efforts.

My mandate includes promoting disability inclusion in all government policies, plans, and programs across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), subnational governments, and with development partners.

As the SSAP, Mr President specifically mandated me to proactively create avenues of opportunity for inclusion through the inculcation of PWD requirements and perspectives in the policies and programmes of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal Government while working closely with sub-national authorities to build a national consensus on PWD-friendly policy and environmental conditions in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

Upon assuming office, I quickly set up a formidable team of eggheads and together we hit the ground running. Since then, we have made tremendous progress in advancing the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities in Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

In the past one year, the Renewed Hope Agenda has had a profound impact on PWDs in Nigeria. We have witnessed a significant increase in the inclusion of PWDs in various spheres of life. The unemployment rate among PWDs has decreased, educational attainment levels have risen, and there is a greater sense of empowerment and self-reliance among PWDs.

Moreover, the societal perception of PWDs is gradually shifting. The stigma and discrimination that once marginalized PWDs are being replaced by recognition of their potential and contributions to society. This cultural shift is one of the most heartening outcomes of our efforts.

Here’s the key Highlights of our achievements in the last one year.

Executive Summary:

1. Policy Advocacy:

In the last 12 months, I and my team have actively engaged with policymakers at both the federal and state levels to advocate for the implementation of policies that promote inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities. This includes initiatives to improve access to education, healthcare, transportation, and employment opportunities.

While pushing for the need to move Disability Advocacy from charity based approach to right based approach, we have equally made significant progress in advocating for inclusive 2024 budget and mobilizing partnership for creation of a comprehensive disability data register.

Speaking recently at the National Annual Conference and the 2nd Edition of ‘The Podium’, a platform for advocating social justice, organized by De-Real Life International Foundation (DERLIF), I advocated and reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ensuring social justice for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and those with special needs, while highlighting the administration’s drive to promote fairness and equity for marginalized groups.

2. Enhanced Accessibility:

In fulfillment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my office recently unveiled the Association of Accessibility Professionals (AAP) and inaugurated its board and executive members to Champion Disability Inclusion and Accessibility

The unveiling signified the launch of a strategic partnership between the AAP and the office of the SSAP, aimed at championing disability inclusion and promoting accessibility across Nigeria.

The high-profile event, which took place in Abuja, showcased the commitment of both the AAP and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) to ensuring that accessibility becomes a core component of Nigeria’s social and physical landscape.

This move marks a significant step forward in the implementation of Nigeria’s National Disability Act and the promotion of disability inclusion and accessibility across the nation

Similarly, earlier in the year, my office distributed some assistive devices to Persons With Disabilities in the Niger-Delta region to aid their mobility and ease their pain of accessing public infrastructures.

Our engagement with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and architects has resulted in incorporating disability-friendly requirements into building designs, fostering more inclusive urban development across Nigeria.

3. Inclusive Education Initiatives:

Through engagement and consultation with key stakeholders, we have advocated for the Provision of adequate infrastructure and resources to support the unique needs of students with albinism, training teachers and staff on inclusive teaching methods, and raising awareness and dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding albinism.

Recently,at the First African Regional Conference on Equal Opportunities of Access to Higher Education organized by Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB through the JAMB Equal Opportunities Group, JEOG, I recommended that JAMB Equal Opportunities Group, JEOG, and other stakeholders in inclusive education should forge alliances across Africa by creating a regional network focused on sharing best practices, funding opportunities, and research that promotes inclusive education for Persons With Disabilities, PWDs.

Also, at a forum organized by the Nigerian Association of the Blind, I made strong case for provision of access to digital and educational materials and inclusive teaching methods for the visually impaired persons in Nigeria.

4. Job Creation Drive/Economic Empowerment Programs:

My engagement with Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State on the need to implement 5% employment quota prescribed by the National Disability Act yielded positive results with employment of 15 PWDs by the governor a week after. This is a remarkable milestone achievement which demonstrate the unwavering commitment of my office to inclusivity and equal opportunities. We have equally initiated several programs aimed at economically empowering PWDs. This includes vocational training, microfinance schemes, and partnerships with the private sector to create job opportunities tailored to the skills and capabilities of PWDs.

Earlier in March, our office with support from partner organizations, empowered over 20 PWDs beneficiaries who went home with Point of Sales machines, cash support and other startup kits to enable them start a self-dependent life.

Additionally, our collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development has led to the reservation of 10% of intervention programs for youth with disabilities, expanding economic and educational opportunities for marginalized groups.

In collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and various ministries, my office has secured conditional cash transfer slots and employment opportunities for PWDs across six states, demonstrating the wide-reaching impact of our efforts on poverty alleviation and economic empowerment

5. Capacity Building/Skill Acquisition:

In a bold move towards promoting equality and inclusivity by empowering women and girls with disabilities, my office in partnership with NIGWED trained and empowered over 45 women with disabilities in production of re-usable sanitary pads; where we also launched the planting of orange fleshed sweet potato farming for PWD farmers. The project is in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving menstrual health and hygiene, particularly for women with disabilities.

Earlier in January, my office facilitated the inclusion of some women with disabilities In the National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI) recently launched by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) where they were trained in various vocational skills and empowered with startup kits and funds to start their businesses.

6. Inclusive Healthcare:

Our strategic partnership and engagement with the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has resulted in the inauguration of the National Steering Committee on Disability Inclusive Healthcare with a mandate to work together to create a more inclusive and accessible healthcare system for PWDs

In another significant step towards realizing the aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on inclusive healthcare delivery for Persons With Disabilities, my office struck partnership and collaboration deal with Missing Billions – a global development partners on disability advocacy. This partnership is set to produce significant deliverables in enhancing quality healthcare for our people.

7. Implementation of National Disability Act:

As part of our efforts to promote the implementation of the National Disability Act, my office with funding support from the MacArthur Foundation will on November 12 hold an Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Agency Awareness Summit on the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

This all-encompassing summit holding at the State House Auditorium, Aso Villa, Abuja will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and networking among stakeholders so as to deliberate on issues relating to effective implementation of the National Disability Act.

Earlier in the year, at a joint press conference on the launch of simplified version of the Disability Act, I demanded for decentralization of awareness creation on the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 to the subnational levels and local government areas in order to ensure that awareness on the National Disability Act and its implementation reach the rural areas and people at the grassroots where over 80 percent of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are domicile lacking access to basic information and source of livelihood.

Similarly, at a 2-day National Disability Convening conference organized by the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, NCPWD in collaboration with Disability Right and Advocacy Centre, DRAC, I warned that any public office which fails to comply with the provisions of the National Disability law on accessibility of public buildings by Persons With Disabilities faces risk of being locked up.

8. Strategic Partnerships/Collaborations:

Our continuous engagement with state governors and traditional leaders has strengthened disability inclusion across Nigeria, showcasing a comprehensive approach to national development

One of the notable results of our strategic partnership was the launch of Disability Inclusion Governors Connect Program which was flagged off by Lagos State governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

A key component of the program is PWDs Educational and Skills Empowerment. The program seeks to connect with the 36 states Governors, raise awareness on disability issues, facilitate their compliance with disability norms, provide technical support through the process, rate and induct compliant administrators into the disability friendly Hall of fame, and to continue monitoring their compliance.

9. Provision of Palliatives/Relief:

My office In collaboration with the Queen Adenike Tejuosho foundation, earlier in the year launched the Presidential Economic Initiative on distribution of Palliative for PWDs with over 1,000 deserving beneficiaries.The program aimed to ameliorate and cushion the effect of the economic hardship on them.

In addition, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is aimed at tackling hunger and poverty by ensuring food security among the vulnerable populations, especially Persons With Disabilities, my office flagged off of the presidential distribution of food palliatives to beneficiaries across the six Geo-political zones of Nigeria where over 1,000 Persons With Disabilities went home with bags of rice and cash support

In continuation of the ongoing phased distribution of rice palliatives to Persons With Disabilities, the vulnerables and People with Special Needs, across the six geo-political zones in the country, my office distributed rice palliatives to over 1, 000 beneficiaries in the Northeast geo-political zone of the country, precisely in Yobe State.

Also, as part of my swift response to the devastating flood that ravaged Maiduguri, displacing millions and triggering severe hunger, my office stepped in with a critical three-day meal support program for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs). This initiative aims to address the immediate needs of one of the most vulnerable groups affected by the disaster.

10. Redress for Victims of Discrimination: My office had strongly condemned the discriminatory act committed by Rano Air Limited against Mr. Usman Bura Gabai, a Person with Disability and Chairman of the Yobe State chapter of Joint National Association for Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) who was on May 14th, 2024, denied access to board at Maiduguri International Airport, despite booking and paying for his ticket, causing him significant harm and preventing him from attending a crucial Disability Stakeholders conference he was billed to attend.

In a similar development, my office expressed deep concern and condemnation regarding the discriminatory incident against Mr Debola Daniel, a person with disability, that transpired on March 27, 2024, at a KFC restaurant located within the departure hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State.

Our firm and swift actions prompted the offenders in the two cases above to tender unreserved apologies and promised to embrace measures promoting inclusivity in their operations going forward.

11. Inclusive Electoral System

On the political front, our efforts in electoral reforms have laid the groundwork for more accessible voting infrastructure, especially for PWDs, ahead of the 2027 elections. Our engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, on separate voting points for PWDs is to ensure that PWDs can actively participate in the democratic process, advancing both national cohesion and political inclusivity.

12. Launching The Beyond Disability Project:

The Beyond Disability Project launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024, stands as a landmark initiative of my office that will transform the lives of over 5,000 PWDs and create more than 36,551 job opportunities nationwide. This project exemplifies how my office is leveraging national resources and partnerships to boost economic development and social inclusion. The Beyond Disability Project is to empower persons with disabilities through talents and skill development, providing training, mentorship, and resources to unlock their full potential.

Also in July 2024, my office and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa reached partnership agreement on a project tagged: Operation Heroes’ Legacy” (OHL) which is one of the offshoots of the Beyond Disability Project. The OHL is a comprehensive program targeted at supporting and recognizing the sacrifices of Nigerian veterans many of whom have paid the supreme price while others sustained life-time injuries in the course of securing and protecting the territorial integrity of our nation.

In furtherance of the Beyond Disability Project, and in a landmark move towards realizing the objectives of the Beyond Disability Project, which is to create 36,551 jobs for Persons With Disabilities from the national level down to the local government and ward levels,I presented the first set of appointment letters and terms of reference to some state coordinators of the Project.

The presentation, which took place at a Documentation and Orientation Meeting in Abuja, marked a key milestone in the implementation stage of the BD-Project which was launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 22, 2024

13. Empowering PWDs through Inclusive Sports:

Recognizing the power of sports in economic and national development, my office has in the last one year invested so much efforts at promoting inclusive sports for the empowerment of PWDs. Recently, in a landmark move towards supporting and empowering Nigeria’s wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and servicewomen, my office and the African Unconquered Foundation have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Empower Wounded Veterans. The agreement, signed at a brief ceremony in Abuja, underscores a shared commitment to honor, rehabilitate, and reintegrate veterans who have sacrificed for the country’s peace and security.

Also, I recently Honoured and Celebrated our heroic 2024 Paris Paralympic Games Medalists at Gala/Award Night for their outstanding achievements at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games winning seven medals, including two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes when i hosted them to a grand reception in Abuja, following their historic performance at the recently concluded Paralympic Games in France. I expressed heartfelt gratitude to the athletes, emphasizing the honor they’ve brought to Nigeria. In continuation of my efforts to promote inclusive sports, I led hundreds of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in joining other Nigerians to celebrate the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary at the Monoliza Sports Centre, Central Area, Abuja, which was filled to capacity andy team, the team SSAP won the Para-Soccer Trophy.

In summary, my achievements over the past twelve months have not only advanced the rights of PWDs but have also significantly contributed to Nigeria’s broader goals of economic growth, social inclusion, and political stability. Our work exemplifies how disability inclusion is essential for national development, creating a more just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.

Policy Directions for the Future

As we look to the future, our commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda remains unwavering. Here are the key policy directions we will be focusing on:

1.Strengthening Legislation: We will continue to seek the legislation of disability laws across the country, and strengthen and enforce disability rights legislation to ensure full compliance across all sectors.

2. Expanding Economic Opportunities: With the support of relevant partners, we aim to expand our economic empowerment programs, including launching new initiatives that support entrepreneurship among PWDs and creating more partnerships with the private sector.

3. Improving Data Collection: Accurate data is essential for effective policy-making. We will enhance our data collection mechanisms to better understand the needs and challenges of PWDs and to monitor the impact of our initiatives.

4. Enhancing Social Protection: We will work to expand social protection programs to ensure that PWDs have access to the support they need, including social security, healthcare, and housing.

5. Promoting Awareness and Advocacy: Continuous advocacy and awareness campaigns will be crucial in changing societal attitudes towards PWDs and promoting a culture of inclusion and respect.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the journey towards an inclusive Nigeria is a collective effort. As we celebrate the milestones of the past year, we also renew our commitment to building a nation where every citizen, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.

Once again, I expressed my gratitude to all our partners, colleagues, OPDs, MDAs, Subnational authorities, development partners and all other stakeholders who have worked with my office to make this last one year a huge success. Let us do this again in the new year.

My office remains open for more collaboration and partnership with all Stakeholders and development partners. Together, we can realize the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda and create a brighter future for all Nigerians.

Thank you, and may we continue to move forward with hope and determination.

SIGNED

Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, FIPMA, FCIPM, FOSHA, UN-GPD

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities