JDPCI, CBM Launch BASICC II to Promote Disability Inclusion in North Central

By Matthew Denis, Abuja

The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), Abuja, in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International, has launched a project aimed at advancing the rights, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities in North Central Nigeria.

The project, titled “Bold Action for Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusive Development in North Central Nigeria” (BASICC II), was officially launched on Friday at the Pope John Paul Catholic Centre, Wuse II, Abuja.

The initiative will be implemented in Benue State, Plateau State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a focus on strengthening disability-inclusive systems, improving access to essential services and opportunities, and promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in community development and decision-making.

Speaking at the event on Friday in Abuja,  Executive Director of JDPCI Abuja, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, said the project represented a renewed commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities were recognised and respected as equal participants and contributors to the development of society.

Sanni said disability inclusion could not be achieved by persons with disabilities alone, stressing that it required the commitment of government, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, communities, development partners and the private sector.

He said the project would also strengthen Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and support advocacy for their rights and dignity.

According to him, the success of BASICC II would not be measured merely by the number of activities implemented or people reached, but by its ability to contribute to lasting changes in attitudes, policies, systems, practices and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The JDPCI Executive Director also called on government institutions to strengthen the implementation of disability-inclusive policies and urged traditional and community leaders to help tackle stigma, discrimination and exclusion at the grassroots.

He further urged civil society organisations and development partners to deepen collaboration, knowledge-sharing and joint advocacy.
Sanni expressed appreciation to CBM International for its continued support for JDPCI and the social mission of the Catholic Church.

In his keynote address, CBM Country Director, Samuel Omoi, represented by the Programme Coordinator, Innocent Onyemaechi, said the initiative built on previous interventions aimed at deepening disability inclusion and ensuring that persons with disabilities were not left behind in the development process.

Omoi said that despite the existence of disability laws and policies in Nigeria, many persons with disabilities continued to face barriers in accessing education, healthcare, livelihoods, public services and decision-making processes.

He said BASICC II would strengthen the capacity of OPDs, civil society organisations, communities and government institutions to promote, monitor and enforce disability rights.

He added that the project would support the socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities through self-help groups, assistive devices and livelihood opportunities.

“The success of BASICC II will depend on the collective efforts of government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, communities, the media and, most importantly, persons with disabilities themselves, whose voices and leadership remain at the heart of this initiative,” Omoi said.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, represented at the event by Dr. Brenda Max-Nduaguibe commended JDPCI and CBM for the initiative, describing it as timely and important to inclusive national development.

Odoh said persons with disabilities were citizens with rights, abilities, aspirations and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and the economy.

She stressed that disability inclusion should not be treated merely as a welfare issue but as an integral component of development planning.

According to her, effective development planning must be inclusive, evidence-based and responsive to the realities of Nigeria’s diverse population.

She urged stakeholders to document successful interventions, generate credible evidence and share lessons from the project to strengthen disability-inclusive policies and systems nationwide.

The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the need for reliable data to determine who was being reached, who was being left behind and whether interventions were producing measurable results.

She said the ultimate measure of success should include improvements in access to services, economic opportunities, participation in decision-making, accessibility, social protection and protection of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

Representing the Director of the Federal Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), Salamatu Belgore, AMAC Coordinator, Mrs Tariere Adewumi, said inclusive healthcare was “non-negotiable.”

Adewumi said every resident, including persons with disabilities, deserved access to quality, affordable and dignified healthcare without barriers.

She called for deliberate action in policy, enrolment, service delivery and accessibility to ensure that persons with disabilities were not excluded from healthcare services.

Meanwhile, CeGHaD Programme Officer, Anna Dimka, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Heart of Hope Foundation, Kefas Bulus, said the project would contribute to improving the lives of persons with disabilities and building more resilient communities.

The launch brought together government representatives, OPDs, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.