CDD urges heads of disabilities groups to uphold virtues of integrity, honesty
CDD urges heads of disabilities groups to uphold virtues of integrity, honesty
By Diana Omueza
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2019 (NAN) The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged leaders of disabilities clusters in the country to champion the fight against corruption by upholding the values of honesty, integrity, transparency and hard work.
Mrs Chima Austin, Head of Admin and Finance, CCD Lagos, gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
Austin said that heads of disabilities clusters must stand and speak against corruption by all means in order to reassure their members and followers of their undiluted collective interest.
“They must recognise, resist, discourage and report corrupt practices. They must refrain from engaging or participating in corrupt practices.
“Heads and leaders of disabilities clusters must refuse collection of gratification or amassing wealth for themselves before carrying out services.
“They must put the collective interest of the group above personal gains or interests, and they must hold themselves accountable and their followers must do same,” she said.
She ured them to engage in campaigns to promote anti-corruption and to sensitise Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on their rights which are clearly spelt out in both the National Disability Law and in some states disability laws.
Austin said that the organisation was currently on a project funded by Action Aid, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to strengthen citizens’ resistance against prevalent of corruption in Nigeria.
According to her, we are running a project in Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom and currently in Lagos state to task heads and leaders of disabilities groups on transparency and accountability.
“Once a leader is corrupt or perceived to be corrupt, such group would suffer from misled priorities, division, disunity and lack of collective vision and goals,” she said.
Austin, however, urged leaders of various disability groups to sensitise their followers on the national disability law and states disability laws in order for them to be able to identify and act on areas where their rights are being infringed upon.
She called for synergy among various groups in order to promote harmony in the disability community both at the states and national levels.
NAN reports that disability clusters include – Joint National Association for Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) made up of the Physically Challenged Cluster, Visually Impaired Clusters and Hearing Impaired clusters.
Others are -Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), Albinos, Dwarfs and those with intellectual disabilities which include those with Down Syndrome, Autism, among others. (NAN)
DOM/ABI
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa