By Kelechi Ugo.

Persons with disabilities have decried high rate of discrimination within the society seeking for domestication of disabilities law.

Leaders of the group sponsored by The Leprosy Mission Nigeria with funding from Liliane Fonds took advocacy to the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly,Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe on Tuesday 6th February,2024.

Speaking to newsmen,the Executive Director of Qualitative Magazine,Agbo Christian Obiora noted that their visit to the Speaker was inline with the support of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria in ensuring that disabilities law is domesticated in Nigeria. "We are here for advocacy visit. We want the Speaker to see every reason for domestication of disabilities law in Imo State. And I am happy that after our presentation, the Speaker promised to wholestically look at it and possibly domesticate the law after public hearing. The law will grant persons with disabilities access to healthcare, education, employment opportunities, transportation as well as penalizing discrimination against persons with disabilities. So, you don't deny persons with disabilities what is due for them. 
They deserve preferecial treatment",he concluded.

Ambassador Iyke Ibeh of African Hope Development Initiative stated that they went to create awareness on the need to domesticate disabilities law in Imo State. "It has been signed into law by former President Mohammadu Buhari. Governor Hope Uzodimma is a lover of persons with disabilities. And I am optimistic that he will quickly domesticate the law. The law will stop street begging and public nuisance",he revealed.

The Imo State Chairman of Albinism Community,Pastor Victor Ibegbulam stated that persons with disabilities are confronted with a lot of challenges and called for quick domestication of the law.

Responding, the member representing Oru East State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly,Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri who spoke on behalf of the Speaker stated that the law will be presented during plenary session so as to enable them deliberate on it and possibly call for public hearing for more inputs.