Morganable News / communities
Disability advocates in Edo State are calling on traditional rulers, oil companies and community development leaders to ensure that residents with disabilities participate in decisions affecting oil-producing communities.
LAgos —
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has urged stakeholders in Edo State to include persons with disabilities in development programmes under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The organisation made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the traditional ruler of Oben, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, on October 10, 2026. The visit focused on promoting equal opportunities and ensuring that residents with disabilities benefit from development initiatives in their communities.
According to a report by Daily Lamp, the advocacy received support from the Ford Foundation. The organisation stressed that persons with disabilities should participate in community decision-making rather than remain excluded from discussions about projects that affect their lives.
Advocates Seek Fair Representation
The CCD coordinator, Chief Bartholomew Okoudo, called on traditional rulers and community leaders to give persons with disabilities a voice in development planning.
He urged community structures to identify residents with disabilities, consult them when setting priorities and ensure their representation in discussions about projects funded through host community development arrangements.
Furthermore, Okoudo stressed the need for fair access to empowerment programmes, skills acquisition, employment opportunities and other benefits available to host communities.
He explained that development projects should consider accessibility from the planning stage. This would help prevent situations where projects are completed without meeting the needs of all residents.
Traditional rulers have an important role to play because they understand local challenges and often influence decisions about community priorities. Their support can therefore help ensure that persons with disabilities participate meaningfully in development activities.
The organisation called on the Oben traditional institution to champion disability inclusion and encourage other stakeholders to recognise the contributions of residents with disabilities.
Traditional Ruler Welcomes the Appeal
The traditional ruler of Oben, His Royal Highness Fred Ogiemwonyi, welcomed the CCD delegation and expressed support for the advocacy.
He stated that disability should not prevent anyone from achieving greatness. He also emphasised that physical challenges do not diminish a person’s intellectual ability or capacity to contribute to society.
However, the traditional ruler expressed concern that some leaders did not give persons with disabilities adequate attention. He urged political officeholders to fulfil their promises and address issues affecting vulnerable residents.
Ogiemwonyi also pledged to consider the concerns raised during the visit and draw the attention of oil companies operating in his domain to issues affecting persons with disabilities.
His response offers an opportunity for community leaders and other stakeholders to turn their support into practical action.
Education Remains a Major Concern
The advocates also raised concerns about access to education, particularly for persons with disabilities living in rural communities.
Joshua Izekor, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Deaf Association, appealed to the traditional ruler to help improve educational opportunities for people with disabilities.
Speaking through a sign language interpreter, Izekor said many people in rural areas lacked access to education. He urged community leaders to raise awareness about the importance of educating children with disabilities.
Access to education can improve employment prospects, encourage independence and help people participate more actively in society.
However, children with disabilities may face barriers when schools lack accessible facilities, appropriate learning materials or adequate support. These challenges can limit their opportunities and increase their risk of exclusion.
Therefore, parents, teachers, community leaders and government authorities must work together to promote inclusive education.
Providing appropriate support can help children with disabilities develop their abilities and participate more fully in their communities.
Why the Petroleum Industry Act Matters
The Petroleum Industry Act 2021 established a framework for host community development in qualifying oil-producing areas.
Its provisions include host community development arrangements intended to support projects that improve the welfare of communities affected by oil and gas operations.
These arrangements create opportunities for stakeholders to identify local needs and direct resources towards development priorities.
However, the benefits may not reach everyone equally if some residents are excluded from consultations and decision-making.
For example, a vocational training programme may offer valuable skills but remain inaccessible to participants if organisers fail to consider mobility or communication needs.
Similarly, community empowerment initiatives may overlook eligible residents when information is not accessible or community representatives fail to consult them.
Consequently, disability inclusion should form part of project planning rather than become an afterthought.
The CCD’s appeal highlights the need for transparent decision-making, accessible programmes and fair opportunities for residents with disabilities.
Turning Promises Into Action
Although the traditional ruler expressed support for the initiative, meaningful progress will require practical steps.
Community leaders can begin by identifying residents with disabilities who want to participate in development discussions. They can also ensure that meetings provide accessible arrangements and allow participants to express their concerns.
In addition, host community development structures can consult organisations representing persons with disabilities before selecting projects and allocating resources.
Oil companies and other stakeholders can support inclusion by improving access to training, employment opportunities and community consultations.
Community members also need to understand that inclusion means removing unnecessary barriers so that everyone has a fair opportunity to participate.
Edwin Aigbekaen, another member of the CCD delegation, said the visit aimed to educate persons with disabilities about their rights and promote their involvement in decisions affecting their communities.
His comments underline the importance of public awareness. Residents need to understand their rights and know how to raise concerns when development programmes exclude them.
At the same time, leaders must be willing to listen and respond.
A Wider Lesson for Community Development
The advocacy in Oben raises an important question for oil-producing communities across Nigeria: who participates when development decisions are made?
Community development cannot fully serve residents when some groups remain overlooked during planning and implementation.
Persons with disabilities have skills, experiences and perspectives that can help leaders identify local challenges and develop more effective solutions.
Their participation can also reveal barriers that other stakeholders might otherwise miss. Addressing these barriers can improve the accessibility and usefulness of community projects.
The Edo State Persons with Disability Law 2022 provides a state-level framework for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and promoting inclusion. However, legal protections require public awareness, effective implementation and cooperation among relevant stakeholders.
Ultimately, the success of the CCD’s advocacy will depend on whether community leaders, oil companies and development structures translate their commitments into measurable improvements.
The visit to Oben has created an opportunity for dialogue. Sustained engagement, accessible programmes and fair representation will be essential to ensure that residents with disabilities participate in shaping their communities’ future.
