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By Gabriel Ameh
Sustainable Family Healthcare Foundation (SFHF) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing disability-inclusive development in the Federal Capital Territory through active collaboration with the FCT Administration and development partners on the validation of the FCT Disability Policy.
The validation meeting, convened by the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat in collaboration with World Bank, Sustainable Family Healthcare Foundation (SFHF) and CBM International, brought together policymakers, disability rights advocates, civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen the draft policy before final approval.
Speaking at the meeting, Executive Director of Sustainable Family Healthcare Foundation (SFHF), Mrs Peter Ogunmayi, emphasized the importance of stakeholder participation in refining the policy document to ensure it effectively addresses the needs of persons with disabilities.
She urged participants not to hold back their observations and recommendations during the review process.
“This is not the final document yet. It is still a draft that requires the input of every stakeholder here. We want everyone to contribute meaningfully before printing and implementation,” she said.
Mrs Ogunmayin stressed that the disability policy should serve as a practical framework for planning and implementation rather than merely existing as an official document.
“The policy document is not just paper to gather dust on tables. It is a framework that guides action and planning,” he added.
She also acknowledged the support of CBM International, describing the organization as a critical partner supporting SFHF’s disability inclusion interventions within the FCT.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of CBM International, Country Programme Manager, Michael A. Idah, commended the FCT Administration for demonstrating leadership in promoting disability-inclusive governance.
He said the validation process reflected international best practices and reaffirmed CBM International’s commitment to supporting interventions that uphold the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
According to Idah, CBM International, through the “Advancing Disability Inclusive Development through Implementation of the Disability Law and OPD Empowerment Project,” implemented in partnership with Sustainable Family Healthcare Foundation (SFHF), is supporting efforts to strengthen disability institutions and expand economic opportunities for persons with disabilities in the FCT and Osun State.
He added that the partnership aims to achieve sustainable impact by 2027 through stronger disability-inclusive systems and improved access to opportunities.
Also speaking, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, described the disability policy as a “covenant of commitment” between the government and persons with disabilities in the Federal Capital Territory.
She stated that the validation exercise signaled a transition from policy drafting to practical implementation.
“This validation meeting is not a formality. It is a commitment to ensure that what we sign up for is practical, implementable and enforceable,” she said.
Benjamin-Laniyi noted that the FCT Administration had already established the first disability desk within the Women Affairs Secretariat to support women, girls and communities living with disabilities.
She emphasized that women and girls with disabilities face compounded barriers, including exclusion from education, healthcare and employment, as well as heightened vulnerability to gender-based violence.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that the collaboration between government institutions, development partners and civil society organizations would help ensure that the FCT Disability Policy delivers measurable improvements in accessibility, inclusion and protection for persons with disabilities across the territory.
