A training workshop meant to sensitising and equip persons with disability on their roles and rights before, during and after the 2023 general elections got underway in Kaduna State, with a task on participants to put in their best to achieve success.

 

 

Salama News reports that the training which is expected to last ten days, is being implemented by Cedar Seed Foundation in collaboration with the United Nation Development Program, UNDP, in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and Kaduna State.

 

 

Addressing participants on Wednesday at the Maryamu Event centre in Ungwan Wakili, venue of the training for Zango Kataf Local Government Area, the Program Coordinator Cedar Seed Foundation in Kaduna, Mr. Ziniyet Hilary said the program will equip atleast three thousand people living with disabilities, youths and women each, from Zango Kataf and Jaba local government areas, while the remaining two local government areas of  Jaba and Kaura will train two thousand each.

 

Mr. Hilary explained that Cedar Seed Foundation is a Disability/youth-led non profit, non sectarian organization that promotes the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities particularly, women and young persons with disabilities.

 

 

He added that the main objectives of the project is to engage stakeholders and relevant bodies so as to ensure the implementation of clause 54 of the Electoral Act 2022, that will ensure the inclusion of people living with disability.

 

 

The program officer pointed out the project is also expected to mainstream the issues and concerns of persons with disabilities in Nigeria into National development agenda based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to increase the knowledge of citizens on civic and voters Education for credible elections, inclusive and peaceful elections, good governance and democratic processes.

 

In his presentation, one of the facilitators Mr. Benjamin Bala Nkut, challenged People living with disability not to be discouraged by the previous challenges they faced during elections, rather, they should come out enmass and participate during the forth-election, because there is a special arrangement that will give them preference on election day.

 

 

Also speaking, one of the Facilitators, Shuaibu Mustapha, tasked the participants to always hold their leaders accountable by asking them questions and reminding them of the promises they made during electioneering campaigns, instead of just folding their arms and wait for another election year.

 

Some of the participants who spoke in an interview with Salama News, commended the organisers of the program for widening the scope of understanding on what their rights and privileges are during elections, even as they lamented the non inclusion of persons living with disability after elections.

 

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