ABUJA, NIGERIA – The founder of one of Africa’s most prominent disability advocacy groups has expressed his dream that participants of a landmark legislative internship programme will one day become lawmakers themselves. Jake Epelle, the founder of TAF Africa, said the success of the programme has “broken down barriers in spaces often deemed inaccessible to PWDs,” adding, “This pilot is only the beginning; we are scaling up to ensure more PWDs enter the National Assembly.”
The call came during a reflection meeting in Abuja which marked the conclusion of a six-month Legislative Internship Programme (LIP). The initiative, supported by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSGDN), placed 10 young Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in various committees within the National Assembly to promote disability-inclusive governance and build capacity in policy advocacy.
One of the interns, Omowunmi Ogundare, who served with the House Committee on Basic Education and Services, described the experience as “enlightening” and a powerful proof of the valuable contributions PWDs can make. “This programme proved that PWDs have a place in governance,” she said. “Our disabilities do not define our value.”
The interns’ performance was highly commended by Njoku Chinemerem, who spoke on behalf of the House Committee on Disability. She praised their “diligence, commitment, and intellectual strength,” noting that many of them “outperformed their non-disabled peers.” She stressed, “What matters is not physical strength but the brain. Many of them are intelligent and capable of helping this country grow.”
Ayuba Gufwan, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), described the initiative as “transformative,” stating that it has “amplified the voices of PWDs in legislative spaces.” He stressed that PWD inclusion is a “right, not a favour” and urged continued investment in their potential.
Mr. Epelle also made a powerful call for better representation of the deaf community, advocating for dedicated sign language interpreters with proper visibility during plenary sessions. “We must stop hiding interpreters in corners like parents hide their disabled children,” he said. “Let us give PWDs the visibility and pride they deserve.”
The internship, which equipped participants with skills in legislative processes and inclusive advocacy, is in line with Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive democratic system.
Add Comment