Disability commission boss urges Buhari to assent to mental Health Bill

The executive secretary, National Commission for Persons with disabilities James Lalu has urged President Muhammad Buhari to assent the Mental Health Bill already trasmitted to him by the National Assembly

Lalu spoke during the Annual High-Level Roundtable on Mental Health Conditions and Phychosocial Disabilities, hosted by National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in Partnership with She Write Woman Mental Health Initiative.

The Mental Health bill which has been passed by the National Assembly has been waiting for the President’s assent.

Lalu expressed the believe that President Buhari will not disappoint assuring that with the present administration that is passionate about matters of persons with disabilities the commission will get the green light that the president will soon assent to the Bill.

“What we have to continue to do is to push for it so that it will not be abandoned on the shelve a particular officer in a particular office

“I am now realising that there is a section of disability community which we might have one way or the other collectively neglected. 

“Now is time for us to take responsibility. We will drive the advocacy to push for that President Muhammad Buhari assents to the Bill Because anything that has to do with  disability the President does not joke with it.”

 On the inhuman treatment, violation of the rights of persons with mental health challenges who are more often chained into confinements 

“All the Psychiatric hospitals that use  shackles, chains to hold down persons with mental health challenge, we will do whatever possible from our own angle to take up the challenge with the ministry of health and relevant institutions to bring a stop to the inhuman approach.

“The Commission with partner will all other relevant stakeholders to make sure we work on the right angle that will protect them.”

According to him they have realised the need to engage the services of people with mental health challenge in their next phase of employment “We will make sure we create job opportunities to accommodate these people in the ministry. As soon as we employ them we are going to create a section to deal with mental human rights to fight for their rights

Founder/ED She Writes Woman, Ms. Hauwa Ojiefo said, “As we speak today, many states, agencies and ministries still endorse institutionalization and forced treatments. 

“State governments are building even more centres and facilities that further isolate and violate people with disabilities rather than investing in community-based supports. The focus is on restrictions rather than our rights.

“We must not be bystanders in the atrocities carried out against people with mental health conditions in Nigeria.

“Standing before you today is Hauwa Ojeifo but she is not alone. Today, over 40 million Nigerians stand before you. Today, about 30% of Nigeria’s population; of all ages, sex and languages stand before you.
“Today, we the people with mental health conditions are saying to you – we cannot wait any longer. Respecting human rights should be the standard.

“Make no mistake, there has been progress, proof in the fact that I am sitting here before you today – we are demanding better. We demand meaningful participation, in the true spirit of nothing about us without us In legislation, policies and practices, uphold our rights and honour Nigeria’s
international human rights commitments. 

“Make us – a long forgotten, abused and ostracised group – a priority and not a symbol of mere tokens and charity.

“We are real people whose lives are adversely affected with every single moment action is not taken.
Today, you distinguished delegates must take responsibility for all the harm done to us and renew your commitment to working with us, people with psychosocial disabilities, to realise our rights. We are at a pivotal moment, leveraging what we experienced during the pandemic, to collectively build a more equal and just Nigeria.”