*As Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria advocates inclusivity

By Juliet Umeh

The Federal Government has been enjoined to urgently establish a dedicated commission for people with disabilities and special needs in the country. The government has also been charged to ensure that the laws supporting the welfare of such persons are implemented.

Making the call during a courtesy visit to Vanguard corporate headquarters in Lagos, the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, DSFN, appealed to the government to honour the provisions of the Disability Act passed in 2018, which called for the creation of a Persons with Disability Commission.

Speaking during the visit, the National Administrator, DSFN, Mrs. Nike Denis, expressed frustration that despite the passage of the Act, there has been little progress towards setting up the Commission.

She said: “The government recently established a Commission for Livestock, which is commendable; however, we ask why it has been so difficult to create a commission for people with disabilities, who are equally deserving of structured support.

“Our goal is to highlight the needs and potential of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities, to show that they are not beggars but individuals capable of contributing to society if provided with the right support,” Denis stated.

She explained that Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome, leading to developmental challenges both physically and intellectually.

She noted that with the right educational, vocational, and therapeutic interventions, people with Down syndrome can live fulfilling, semi-independent lives.

“At our Foundation, we provide holistic support, including education and vocational training in areas such as barbing, bakery, leatherworks, and photography. These skills empower our students, giving them the means to contribute meaningfully to society,” she added.

Denis also stressed the importance of addressing the societal stigma surrounding Down syndrome and other disabilities.

“Cultural and religious barriers often result in children with disabilities being hidden away, depriving them of vital services that could enhance their quality of life. We must break down these barriers and foster a society where PWDs are included and empowered.”

Reiterating the need for the government to implement the provisions of the 2018 Disability Act without further delay, the Publicity Officer of the Foundation, Olanrewaju Adesina, said it would ensure that PWDs are no longer marginalized.

“There is no support at all from the government, it is difficult retain in Nigeria the laws for protecting persons with special needs are not being implemented, however, PWDs should not be seen as beggars. They deserve equal opportunities, and the government must act urgently to create the commission that has already been promised.

“These events aim to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and generate financial support for the Foundation’s projects,” Lanre said.

The Foundation sought media support for its ongoing advocacy campaign to ensure greater inclusivity for individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities, even as it outlined plans for a major fundraising initiative to build a multi-purpose facility for PWDs.

The proposed facility, known as MOVAS House, will provide semi-independent living, therapeutic services, and vocational training for people with intellectual disabilities, ensuring support.

The MOVAS is an acronym formulated from the first alphabets of the first names of the first-ever persons with Down syndrome supported by the Foundation.

A public walk, webinar, medical outreach, and fundraising dinner are among the series of events planned for the upcoming Down syndrome awareness month in October.The DSFN called on the media and the general public to join hands in advocating for inclusivity and support for PWDs.

The Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria was established in 2001 as a non-governmental, non-political, and not-for-profit entity, operating with a robust dedication to collaborative initiatives.

Through affiliations with Down Syndrome International, Inclusion International, and the Africa Disability Forum, DSFN supports persons with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities by fostering a community that includes parents, guardians, caregivers, and other stakeholders with a shared interest.

The National President/CEO, Mrs. Rose Mordi, a British-trained Business Administrator, philanthropist, and social impactor, who is a parent of a daughter with the condition, has been helping to spread the right information to families of other children.

With 23 years of unwavering commitment, the foundation has been at the forefront of addressing the challenges associated with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities.