By Opeyemi Gbemiro.
Mrs Comfort Egwaba, the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, has called on women with disabilities to embrace their potentials by believing they can do anything they put their minds to do.
Egwaba, who was represented by Mr. Sunday Ugbede, made the call on Thursday in Lokoja during the end of the year celebration of the Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI), Lokoja Chapter.
The Deputy Speaker, who represents Ibaji Constituency and also the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, assured the group of her unwavering supports always.
She encouraged them to always believe in themselves as nothing can pull them down other than themselves, noting that there is ability in every disability.
In his remark at the occasion, Mr. Yacubu Abdulhakeem, the Secretary, Kogi State office for Disabilities Affairs (KOSODA), advised the women group to listen and follow the advise of their leaders in the disability community.
He urged them to imbibe all the rules, regulations and procedures that will guide them in achieving more opportunities as a group.
“KOSODA is silently working as there are so many opportunities that will be beneficial to you, there are various empowerments in the new year to come for the disabled community and I assure you of my supports at all times,” he assured.
Earlier, Mrs Eunice Agbogun, the Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI) who spoke on the Theme: “Breaking barriers, building resilience” at the event, noted that the end of the year celebration is a testimony of victory, a testimony that no challenge, no limitations and no barrier can silence a determined woman.
Agbogun explained that every PWD has a story of rising above obstacles, choosing courage over fear and refusing to let the society define their limits, hence the need for them to continue to break every barriers and build resilience.
“As a woman, especially as women with disabilities, you face double challenges of gender bias, physical and societal limitations, yet you also carry double power; the power to inspire and to transform. I thereby celebrate everyone of you.
“As we celebrate, let us remember that building resilience is not a solitary journey. We need support systems, accessible environments, skills training, opportunities and partnership. We also need a society that sees ability before disability and humanity before difference.
“I, hereby, challenge government leaders, community partners, families and friends to become champions of inclusion. Let us create a world where the next generation of Women with Disabilities does not have to fight same battles,” she said.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of AWWDI in Kogi, Mrs Agnes Akinwande appreciated all the group members for making year 2025 a year of achievements, adding that their cooperation and peaceful coexistence has made the event a success.
Akinwande noted that the vision of the group is to grow each other and create an enabling environment for members by encouraging and fighting for their rights.
She appreciated the Nigerian First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for her huge contribution in empowering PWDs in commemoration of the recently celebrated World Disability Day across the country.
She also thanked Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo, his wife, Mrs Sefinat Ododo and various non governmental organizations for their unwavering supports and contribution towards their members and appealed for more inclusiveness for PWDs.
Miss Blessing Okeku, the Group Leader AWWDI Lokoja Chapter, appreciated and thanked all the people who graced the occasion for promoting inclusivity and accessibility. Adding that the Association looks forward to continued partnership and working together to make a difference in the lives of women with disabilities.
