The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in partnership with the Peace for Humanity Foundation, has inaugurated a Local Organising Committee (LOC) to drive the establishment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Farm Cities across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre in Abuja, was themed “Breaking New Grounds for the Neglects.” It drew key stakeholders from the disability community, relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and civil society groups.
While speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Ayuba Burki Gufwan, described the initiative as a decisive move from policy discussions to concrete action.
According to him, the Farm Cities project underscores the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and improving the well-being of PWDs across the country.
“Inclusion is not charity; it is justice, development, and smart economics,” Gufwan stated, noting that with the right support systems, persons with disabilities can make significant contributions to national growth and productivity.
He also applauded the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for strengthening disability inclusion and creating renewed visibility and hope for PWDs nationwide.
The Executive Director of Peace for Humanity Foundation, Godwin Thompson Udo, revealed that the nationwide project required about ₦70 billion for full implementation.
He explained that the Farm Cities would serve as integrated empowerment hubs, covering: Mechanized agriculture, Poultry, fish, snail, and snake farming, Cultivation of vegetables, cereals, yam, cassava, potatoes, and cocoyam, ICT farms and technical skills development, Automobile and motorcycle engineering and Sports and craft production
Udo said the foundation’s goal is to “touch lives, build capacity, and empower humanity” through sustainable and inclusive economic initiatives.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the project aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in promoting inclusion and reducing poverty, adding that the Ministry’s support is to ensuring the success of the initiative.
Stakeholders at the event also expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction for supporting the project’s approval process.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the formal inauguration of the Local Organising Committee, made up of representatives from MDAs and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
The National President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Abdullahi Mohammed, commended the Commission and its partners for what he described as an innovative and transformative initiative.
He assured stakeholders of JONAPWD’s commitment to grassroots advocacy and mobilization to ensure the project delivers meaningful impact.
In his vote of thanks, the Director of Social Integration at NCPWD, Lawrence Idemudia, urged members of the LOC to leverage their experience and expertise to guarantee the successful execution of the Farm Cities project.
The initiative is widely seen as a bold step toward economic inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and structured empowerment for persons with disabilities across Nigeria.
