Abuja – As Nigeria lays former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, tributes continue to pour in from across the country, especially from the disability community, which has hailed the late leader’s landmark contributions to inclusion and rights protection.
Dr. Chike Okogwu, Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer of the Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE), described Buhari’s passing as a profound loss while acknowledging the enduring legacy he leaves behind—particularly his role in advancing the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
In a heartfelt message titled “Footprint in the Sands of Time”, Dr. Okogwu reflected on how Buhari’s signing of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in January 2019 marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s human rights history. He explained that the act went beyond mere legislation—it offered hope to millions who had long been marginalized.
According to Okogwu, the Act represented a shift from invisibility to recognition for persons with disabilities. He stressed that before the law was passed, Nigerians with disabilities were often viewed through the lens of pity or charity. With the law in place, a new narrative began to emerge—one that centers on rights, empowerment, and inclusion.
He also highlighted how President Buhari’s leadership helped open doors for persons with disabilities to engage directly with government institutions and policy processes. These efforts, while not without shortcomings, laid the groundwork for broader institutional inclusion. Okogwu emphasized that Buhari’s administration began to alter not only policy but also perception, planting the seeds for a society where persons with disabilities could be treated as equal citizens, not just recipients of charity.
Dr. Okogwu acknowledged that while progress has been made, challenges such as limited accessibility, lingering stigma, and inconsistent implementation still persist. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the foundation laid under Buhari’s tenure will continue to serve as a benchmark for future advancements in disability rights.
He concluded his tribute with deep appreciation on behalf of CARE and the wider disability community, noting that President Buhari’s contribution to their struggle for dignity and inclusion would not be forgotten.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, your actions gave millions of Nigerians with disabilities a path to dignity,” he wrote. “You have left your footprint in the sands of time. And through us, that footprint will continue to inspire.”
Signed into law in 2019 after years of advocacy, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and mandates improved accessibility across public infrastructure, transport, and services. It also led to the creation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), a major milestone in Nigeria’s inclusion efforts.