By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe
Mr Festus Akintoye, the Chief Executive Officer of Pa Philip Akintoye Development Foundation (PAPADEF), has called on governments, institutions and citizens to promote inclusive development for persons with disabilities through innovation and accessibility.
Akintoye made the call in a statement to mark the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) observed annually on Dec. 3 to promote the rights and welfare of persons with disability.
According to Akintoye, the day reminds the world of its responsibility to build societies where everyone, regardless of physical or mental condition, can live with dignity, equal opportunity and full inclusion.
He said that PAPADEF would not see a disability as weakness but as a condition shaped by the environment, government policies and societal attitudes.
Akintoye said: “Our mission is to promote equal opportunity, empower vulnerable people and support inclusive development that leaves no one behind.”
Quoting United Nations data, Akintoye said that over one billion people globally lived with one form of disability.
He noted that many persons with disabilities still faced serious challenges such as poor access to education, healthcare, decent jobs, social protection and political participation, as well as challenges of stigma and discrimination.
He said that disability inclusion was a matter of justice and human rights, not charity, and urged policymakers and other citizens to remove all barriers facing persons with disability.
On the theme of the 2025 IDPD, “Advancing Inclusive Development through Innovation and Accessibility”, the PAPADEF boss said the theme highlighted the need to use technology, creative ideas and partnerships to improve the lives of persons with disability.
He said innovation without inclusion would be incomplete, adding that development without accessibility would not be sustainable.
He listed key areas for action to include accessible technology and infrastructure, inclusive education, innovation-driven livelihoods, disability-friendly social protection and strong rights-based laws.
Akintoye reaffirmed PAPADEF’s commitment to disability inclusion, saying the foundation had continued to carry out awareness campaigns, distributed assistive devices, supported inclusive education, and ran empowerment and skills programmes across communities.
He also said the foundation worked closely with government agencies, private organisations and disability-focused groups to promote equal opportunities.
He called on Nigerians to condemn harmful stereotypes, build accessible environments, support families and caregivers, promote leadership among persons with disabilities, and push for stronger laws and better enforcement.
Akintoye said inclusion would benefit everyone and make the society stronger, more productive and more compassionate.
He praised persons with disabilities in Nigeria and other parts of the world for strength, resilience and contributions to societies.
“Your voices strengthen democracy. Your dreams show what is possible,” he said.
He reaffirmed PAPADEF’s commitment to working with individuals, institutions and governments to build a future where innovation would meet accessibility and every person could reach their full potential.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
