Education
PWDs in Abia call for inclusion in climate change policies – EnviroNews
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Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Abia State of Nigeria have called for full inclusion in climate change policies following a two-day capacity building in Umuahia, the state capital.
The training, which ended on Friday, August 14, 2026, with the theme, “PWDs as Agents of Inclusive Climate Action”, was organised by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).
Participants said the workshop followed the inauguration of CCD’s research report on disability-inclusive greenhouse gas emission and climate change adaptation in Nigeria.
One of them, Chioma Ekoro, a visually impaired person and Public Relations Officer of the National Association of the Blind, Abia Chapter, described the training as “life-changing”.
She said the research exposed loopholes in the National Climate Change Act 2021 for not specifically including PWDs.
Ekoro noted that CCD, through the report and training, highlighted key areas that must be included for PWDs.
“It has been an eye-opener, bringing us to the limelight that we also have roles to play,” she said.
She added that the training sensitised PWDs on how to engage policymakers, NGOs and ministries to ensure inclusion.
On the situation of PWDs in Abia, Ekoro commended Gov. Alex Otti for carrying them along since inception.
She said the Office of the Commission for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities had given the PWDs leverage to channel their matters.
Another participant, Patience Agu, a member of Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Abia Chapter, said the training was very impactful.
Agu stated that PWDs must be considered whenever climate change policies were made.
She expressed dismay over the fact that buildings, including hotels, remained inaccessible to persons with spinal cord injuries.
“Some spinal cord injured people sleep on the floor after paying for hotel rooms because beds are too high,” Agu said.
She, however, appreciated the governor for efforts to ensure buildings in Abia were accessible.
Mr. John Enemanna, Project Coordinator of Albinism Association of Nigeria, Abia Chapter, said CCD introduced members to climate change issues.
He expressed gratitude to the organisers for enlightening participants on greenhouse gas and how human activities worsened climate change.
Enemanna said he learned practical ways to mitigate climate change as an individual, community and nation.
He pledged to step down the training to other members of his association across the state.
On his part, the Ag. Director of CCD, Mr. Godwin Unumeri, said the training was based on research findings conducted between October and December 2025.
Unumeri stated that the research showed PWDs had been excluded from the National Climate Change Policy 2021.
He added that PWDs also lacked the basic knowledge about climate change and disaster response.
“We decided to train PWDs to arm them with issues of climate change,” Unumeri said.
He urged participants to use the knowledge to adapt during floods, heat waves and erosion.
Unumeri also charged them to advocate for inclusion in government policies and plans.
He emphasised that PWDs must work with the media to keep their issues on the front burner.
Earlier in his welcome address, Unumeri said the workshop translated research evidence into practical knowledge for PWDs.
He thanked the International Climate Initiative for funding the research and capacity building.
The workshop featured group work and presentations on advocacy intentions by PWD participants.
By Leonard Okachie