*Celebrates IWD 2026
Mandate Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS), Hon. (Dr) Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi has reiterated the importance of justice to, and rights of, Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs).
Benjamins-Laniyi, who was represented by Head, Women Affairs Department at the Secretariat, Mrs Aina Sanni, spoke during the celebration of International Women’s Day, IWD 2026, with 250 PWDs at Bamishe community, Kuje Area Council of FCT.
These were contained in a statement made available to People&Politics by Deputy Director, Information, at the Secretariat, Josie Mudasiru JP.
People&Politics notes that a Secretariat in FCT Administration (FCTA)’s structure is a direct equivalent of a state government’s Ministry, going by the provisions of Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Therefore, while the office holder in a State is called a Commissioner, in FCTA, the holder is a Mandate Secretary.
Mudasiru stated that some of the participants at the event came all the way from the newly discovered Cheta Disability Community as beneficiaries of the WAS IWD program designed to spotlight, encourage and inspire women and girls Living With Disabilities in FCT.
The Mandate Secretary said that FCTA, through President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative program, is particular about not leaving anyone behind, stressing that this is why the theme of the IWD 2026 ‘Justice, Rights & Action for All Women and Girls’, is “very timely.”
She disclosed that the Secretariat is initiating a community intervention program to collect and collate the data of women and girls with disabilities so as to enhance FCTA’s engagement with vulnerable groups.
According to her: “There’s ability in disability. All it takes are the right tools and empowerment and political will. We have so many of you that are graduates because you had access to braille, sign language, mobility and other devices that made it easy for you to feel empowered.”
She advised that the educated ones among them can empower others not similarly fortunate by ensuring that they learn a skill.
Dr Benjamins-Laniyi added that with the achievement of the PWDs Community, it is obvious that there exists ability in disability for those ready to explore.
Expressing gratitude to FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, one of the persons with vision impairment, Ms. Justina Janet Agesepa, praised him for the ongoing road infrastructure uplift in the nation’s capital.
According to her, such transformation is what is needed because most of the PWDs live in areas difficult for them to be reached due to lack of access roads.
However, Ms. Agesepa pleaded for employment for the graduates in their midst as well as further empowerment for women.
Another participant, Mallam Luka Kura from Cheta, who spoke in Hausa language, pinpointed the challenges they face in the community as lack of access road and borehole, lamenting that the water they drink is not hygienic. He implored government to remember them.
At the end of the program, packs of foodstuff, comprising staples such as rice and garri, were distributed to the participants, who poured out profuse thanks to FCTA for reaching out to them.
*PHOTO CAPTION: A cross section of participants at the event.
