Stakeholders Appeal for Inclusivity for PLWDs as LG Chairman Pledges to Sustain Support at Bonny Graduates Forum Seminar 

The Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, Abinye Pepple has reiterated his administration’s dedication to inclusive governance as well reassured sustained support for Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD). 

Pepple said this on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 during a One-Day Seminar on the theme: Different Abilities; One Vision: Turning Challenges into Platforms of Purpose and Leadership”, organized by the Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF) at the Queen Kambassa Hall, Bonny, Rivers State. 

The Chairman, who was represented by his Vice, Ibinyefagha Alabere, said his administration remains committed to prioritizing welfare, empowerment, and equal participation in the development of Bonny LGA. 

He assured persons living with disabilities in the LGA of his administration’s commitment to fulfilling all promises made, including the construction of a Support Centre for the Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in Bonny, emphasizing that the welfare of PLWDs remains a priority within the Local Government’s development agenda.

In his goodwill message, Leader of the Bonny Legislative Assembly, Kingsley Jumbo averred that inclusivity for PLWDs implies the deployment of equity in the distribution of opportunities within the government and society. 

The lawmaker also disclaimed any discrimination against PLWDs, encouraging them to follow the required process, have the requisite qualifications and aspire to any position of their choosing, urging them to leave the rest for the voters to decide.

On his part, a representative of the Officer-in-Charge of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Bonny LGA, Makinde Olumide, called for the celebration of PLWDs, as well as empowering them and not just tolerating or accommodating them, urging the public and private sectors to deploy resources to empower them. 

He further said opportunities should be given PLWDs not on assumption but based on talents and merit, stressing that empowerment policies should be inclusive rather than discriminatory, appealing that “stigma should be replaced with understanding”. 

Also speaking, the Officer-in-Charge of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Bonny LGA, Bello Olaniran, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, reiterated the imperative for gatekeepers of the society to approach PLWDs with an open mind aimed at inclusivity rather than discrimination.     

The Assistant Area Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bonny Area Command, Tekena Young-Arney, a Superintendent of Narcotics, appealed to all to consider the plight of PLWDs with a view to easing the burden of living for them, encouraging them not to give up on life but strive to thrive. 

Earlier, the first keynote speaker, Temple Halliday made a presentation on “Turning Challenges into Platforms of Purpose and Leadership”, using himself as case study encouraged other persons living disabilities to focus on their personal development. 

He stated that his struggle to succeed in life were driven by the motivation that despite the disability he was living there is more to life, calling on other PLWDs to emulate his courage at engaging life, asserting that success is just some thoughts away. 

The second keynote speaker, Dr. Danny Pollyn spoke on “Different Abilities” posited that rather than seeing disabilities the society and PLWDs themselves should see their different abilities, referencing different persons across the world who succeeded despite living with disabilities. 

Earlier, in his welcome address, the host and President of the Bonny Graduates Forum (BGF), Jude Pepple expressed the gratitude of the Forum to the two keynote speakers, Temple Halliday and Dr Danny Pollyn, saying the insights they will bring to the seminar “will guide our thinking as we translate this new government’s commitment into real opportunity” 

“We are honoured to welcome Mr. Temple Halliday as our keynote speaker. His message on turning challenges into platforms of purpose and leadership will guide our thinking as we translate this new government commitment into real opportunity.”” 

“And Dr. Danny Kika Pollyn, State Director, Federal Character Commission, Rivers State, who believes, we all have different ability, but the vision is one, creating equal opportunities for all.” 

He stated that “the Bonny Graduates Forum will document today’s contributions and develop clear recommendations to support the effective implementation of the Centre, the subvention, and the broader inclusion agenda”. 

He expressed the readiness of the BGF to “work closely with the Local Government Council, the Association of Persons with Disabilities, and every stakeholder represented here”. 

He encouraged everyone in the society to engage PLWDs “with sincerity, empathy, and focus. Let this seminar become a catalyst for sustainable structures, meaningful training, and pathways to independence for our brothers and sisters living with disability.

Making a presentation on behalf of his members, Chairman of the Disabled Association of Bonny, Salucky Benstowe requested that among other things, PLWDs should be given opportunity to occupy government positions, as well as other areas in the society.