Isa Umar, Abuja
Cohorts of the Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Capstone Project group of the School of Politics, Policy & Governance, SPPG, have partnered Accesstech Innovation Research Center in an advocacy drive aimed at having intentional conversations on integration of persons with disabilities into all facets of the society and halting all stereotypes against them.
The Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Capstone Project group codenamed ‘The Voices’ made this known during the advocacy visit embarked upon by them in Lagos, on Monday, July 1, 2024.
Speaking on behalf of the Capstone Project group, Olubunmi Agnes Dada, explained that the capstone project was all about inclusion and social justice for persons who may have been neglected.
“Our project has to do with persons with disability, diversity and inclusion. Our objective is to spark meaningful conversations, raise awareness and mobilize collective action to address the systemic barriers and discrimination faced by this marginalized group.
“Part of our proposal is to partner with an advocacy group. Through this project, we aim to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential”.
Responding, the CEO of the Center, Opeoluwa Akinola who welcomed the Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Capstone Project group, noted that the Center was about equipping persons with disability with the needed digital skills and advocacy.
In his words: “Essentially, what we do here is to ensure that persons with disabilities are totally included in the society to participate in all activities.
“We concentrate mainly on digital skills but we also deal with advocacy, while supporting other groups and organizations of persons with disability.
“We also try to ensure that policy makers, employers, persons with disabilities and all stakeholders are aware of the opportunities for inclusion that exists and the tools by which they can achieve full inclusion of persons with disabilities as equal members of the society and of course in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs”.
Akinola expressed his readiness to partner with the Capstone Project group, stating that there was a need to expand the awareness of what could be done for inclusion and social justice.
“Without people knowing what we do, we will have a very small audience and like I said before, rather than retrofitting, it is essential that policies are made that capture disability and diversity right from the point of creation.
“So, as a group that is into politics and policy, it is essential to have you (the Capstone Project group) as a partner because we believe that with the portfolio of your organization, you can ensure that policies are born inclusive.
“There’s also a possibility that you can use your platform to reach more persons and enlighten them while we provide the technical expertise”, Akinola stated.
The School of Politics, Policy & Governance, as part of the values pillar of the FixPolitics initiative, has the goal of transforming politics in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, by building a massive base and pipeline of a new value-based and disruptive thinking political class with the requisite knowledge and skills to lead effectively.
It is an unconventional school designed to attract, develop and produce a new generation of political leaders who will listen and serve the new class of citizens who know their rights.
Members of the Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Capstone Project group are: Oluwatosin Alagbe, Hansatu Adegbite, Funmi Thomas, Nasom Ngaro, Ruth Obozeghie, Olubunmi Dada and Onochie Igwesi
Others are Ogodo Lucy, Olubusayo Adewumi, Taiwo Bukola, Blessing, Adeyinka Shittu and Oladipo Adeeko.