PWDs Demand 5% Quota In NSCDC Employment
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Ayuba Gufwan, on Wednesday, urged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to employ the deaf.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of trained personnel in sign language on Wednesday in Abuja, Gufwan said the appeal, if considered, would bridge the communication gap between security operatives and the deaf community.
He noted that the training reflects the NSCDC’s commitment to inclusive service delivery and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
According to him, inclusion in security must not be restricted to communication alone.
He said, “Security is a fundamental right. It must be made accessible to every citizen, regardless of disability.
“When security operatives are equipped to communicate with and understand persons with disabilities, especially those within the Deaf community through sign language, we move closer to realizing a society that is safe, inclusive, and equitable.
“This initiative is particularly significant in the Federal Capital Territory, where the population is diverse and dynamic.
“However, inclusion in security must not stop at communication alone”.
Gufwan also urged the Corps to address employment barriers and comply with existing legal obligations on inclusion.
He continued, “I use this opportunity to respectfully call on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to employ trained deaf individuals to the corps as well as give full effect to the 5 per cent employment quota for Persons with Disabilities in your organization.
“This is stipulated in the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and also captioned in the Public Service Rules (Revised 2021).
“The Corps will be greatly enriched by the courage, resilience, and talent that persons with disabilities bring to public service as well as ensure continuous training of the rank and file in sign language mastery through interaction, cooperation and working together.”
Gufwan congratulated the graduating officers and urged them to uphold their new responsibilities as ambassadors of inclusion.
“To the graduating officers, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. You are now Ambassadors of Inclusion” he said adding that “The knowledge and skills you have gained will not only enhance your professional competence, but will also transform the experiences of many Nigerians who seek security and justice.”
He called for sustained collaboration between relevant institutions to ensure the long-term advancement of inclusive national security.
“Let this graduation not be the end, but the beginning of deeper collaboration between our institutions in the shared mission of advancing inclusive security in Nigeria” he said.
Gufwan assured that the commission would continue to support security institutions through capacity building and strategic partnerships to advance disability inclusion.
“The Commission stands ready to support the NSCDC and all other security agencies with technical assistance, capacity building, and strategic partnerships to strengthen the inclusion agenda.
“We are confident that the Corps can set a national example in upholding the values of accessibility, representation, and fairness.”
Also, he acknowledged Data Lead Africa’s leadership in promoting digital inclusion and their role in equipping security personnel with sign language skills.
PWDs Demand 5% Quota In NSCDC Employment is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
