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DR Christopher Nwanoro, a disability rights activist, has called on the Federal Government to support his bid to represent Africa on the UN Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
He made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during a media conference about his candidacy, adding that his presence on the committee would help to champion the cause of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria and Africa.
Nwanoro, who is visually impaired, said that Nigeria having a representative on the committee would attract great benefits to the country.
He said that he was nominated by the Federal Government in 2022 to represent Nigeria and possibly Africa on the UN CRPD elections scheduled for June 11 in New York.
He explained that CRPD is a committee of experts selected from each continent to represent and fight for the rights of PWDs.
According to him, Morocco and Malawi are also vying for the position.
He said, “It was based on what I have done for this country that the government deemed it necessary to nominate me to represent Nigeria and possibly Africa on the committee.
“So going out there will make a meaningful impact to bring a lot of opportunities that the Western world have been enjoining and bring them to our people here in Nigeria.
“I have a lot of things I’m going to attract to Nigeria. The committee is where major decisions that concerns PWDs globally are taken.
“We are going to look at the issue of assistive technology.
“We also have the issue of accessibility that for instance, some public buildings in Nigeria, in Africa, are not accessible for PWDs.
“In the Western world, the transportation system is accessible for PWDs and we would like to replicate such in Africa.
“So these are the things that I’m going to attract and most importantly, the grants that will come to Nigeria and to Africa are enormous.”
He reiterated readiness to take responsibilities and to champion disability rights on the global stage “where everyone has equal rights and opportunities, regardless of ability.”
Nwanoro, however, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to aid in pursuing the course, adding that it was in line with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“In order to ensure our success, we would need necessary support for this all-important international project, in form of diplomatic maneuvering, finance, local and international mobilisation (contact and publicity) and other networking opportunities.
“We need to also effectively organise and fine tune the home base, including personalities and institutions as well as contacts to firm up our understanding with foreign institutions and delegates.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwanoro is currently a Deputy Director, in the International Organisations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He obtained B.A Hons. in History/ International Studies from University of Uyo and a M.Sc. degree in International Relations from the same University.
He also has a Ph.D in International Relations from the University of Abuja. (NAN)
F.A
May 8, 2024
Tags: Disability Rights Group Represent Nigeria on UN Committee
