The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) is set to enter into a strategic partnership with Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to promote digital transformation initiatives leading to full inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
This commitment was reached at a meeting held at DBI Headquarters Office in Abuja between the two Commissions. The collaboration of this agreement was to be formalized with the both commissions signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The Executive Secretary, NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, who led the delegation, reiterated the urgency of leveraging digital innovation to address long-standing barriers facing the persons with disabilities.
According to him the key priority areas such as identity verification, certification, digital literacy, and inclusive access to opportunities as crucial interventions need to enhance the lives and dignity of persons with disabilities across the country.
“We need to ensure that our community is digitally empowered, equipped, and included in the opportunities available through technology. Our vision is to create a Nigeria where disability is not a barrier to innovation, productivity, or national contribution,” Gufwan stated.
He commended the DBI for its longstanding record of inclusive interventions, noting that the Commission has consistently received positive reports from across the country regarding DBI’s commitment to integrating persons with disabilities in its training and programmes.
In his response, the President/CEO of DBI, Mr. David Daser, welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism about the partnership.
He stressed the importance of formalizing collaboration through an MoU to streamline areas of engagement, saying that DBI possesses the technical capacity to address several challenges facing the Commission particularly in combating impersonation of persons with disabilities, strengthening identification systems, and advancing digital literacy.
“Immediately the MoU is signed, DBI will deploy all its energy to accelerate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in its national programmes.” Mr. Daser assured.
