Persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) are imbued with inalienable human rights and have talents and potential that would aid in the Nigerian government's unceasing pursuit of economic development. However, under Nigeria's Fourth Republic since 1999, implementation of disability laws has been lethargic. In Improving Disability Laws under Nigeria's Fourth Republic: Ten Measured Steps into the Future, Philip C. Aka and Joseph A. Balogun explore measures for improving the capacity of the Nigerian national government to implement regional and global treaties related to disability that are human rights-centric. They emphasize the need for a human rights focus and for the Nigerian government to implement laws that support the potential of PLWDs, including their contributions to socioeconomic development.
Philip C. Aka is former professor and dean of the Faculty of Law at the International University of Sarajevo. Joseph A. Balogun is a retired distinguished professor and former dean of the College of Health Sciences at Chicago State University, emeritus professor of physiotherapy at the University of Medical Sciences, and a visiting professor and program consultant at the Center of Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation at the University of Benin.
Preface List of Tables List of Abbreviations Introduction 1Background History of Disability in Nigeria 2Survey of the Global and Regional Regimes on Disability Pertaining to Nigeria 3Record of the Nigerian National Government since 1999 4Improving Disability Laws under Nigeria's Fourth Republic: Ten Steps into the Future Conclusion and Prospects for the Future References Index About the Authors
"Commonly, academics in their research projects provide theories to explicate major issues in society. Accordingly, these distinguished veteran scholars, Professors Joseph A. Balogun and Philip C. Aka, provide theories aimed at guaranteeing equal advantage of all human rights to persons with disabilities as contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities signed by Nigeria in 2007. They urge Nigeria to enshrine the preceding rights instrument in her constitution and ratify the Protocol of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on this matter. In this way, Nigeria would integrate these often marginalized citizens with disabilities into her development agenda. Overall, this is an invaluable book on human rights discourse in Nigeria and the Global South." -- E. Ike Udogu, Appalachian State University
