Abuja – Nigeria has been elected into the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)), in recognition of its commitment to addressing the plight of PWDs.

This is contained in a statement issued by Saghir el Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement said Mr Danladi Basharu was elected into the 18-member committee at the just-concluded 7th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of PWDs.

It said the conference was held at the UN headquarters, New York from June 10 to June 12.

Basharu, until now, was the former President of the Joint National Associations of PWDs.

“The election now places on Nigeria the responsibility of working with other member nations to guide the global implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs.’’

Dr Habiba Lawal, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development said Nigeria’s candidature stood out due to its enviable records of support and care for the PWDs.

Lawal, who was the leader of Nigeria’s delegation to the conference, also praised the efforts of Nigeria’s Mission in New York toward the success of the exercise.

She thanked other African member-countries for their support and encouragement.

“The election of Nigeria into the committee will attract greater international support and technical assistance toward addressing the plight of over 22million PWDs in the country.

“It also places an additional burden on Nigeria to ensure the timely passage into law, of the National Disability Bill now before the National Assembly”, Lawal said.

The statement said that Nigeria signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and it’s Optional Protocol in 2008.

It said Nigeria subsequently ratified the two instruments in 2010, thereby committing itself to the provisions of the documents. (NAN)