Inclusion advocate, Uri Ngozichukwuka, Dissociates Self, EDWIIN From Political Party’s Umbrella Procession

National convener of the Empathy-Driven Women Initiative International (EDWIIN), Uri Ngozichukwuka has dissociated herself and her brand from the Umbrella procession held by a political following the road walk the party had on Thursday, November 17, 2022 to canvass support for the presidential candidate of the party.
Recall that EDWIIN had initiated the Umbrella walk to advocate for the rights and acceptance of PWDs with peculiar attention to persons living with Albinism, a cause that got little to no recognition of politicians but kind-hearted Nigerians
In a statement issued by EDWIIN on Friday, 18 November 2022, the convener stated that the use umbrella on that rally was not only insensitive, but also a deliberate mockery of vulnerable fraction of Nigerian citizen whose welfare are of little or no concern to the party or its members.
“Here is a party that had existed for over two decades and have not thought of the idea of a procession in over 20 years.
“EDWIIN, in partnership with well-meaning Nigerians and kind hearted stakeholders came together in June to initiate a walk, in solidarity with People with Albinism and the party did not identify with the project in anyway.
“It was United Nations Albinism Awareness Day on the 13th of June, 2022, and project was executed in partnership with Lagos state office of disabilities LASODA, Lagos Albinism Awareness society and Lagos Accueil an organisation made of French women living in Nigeria, as scores of participants storm out to execute the first umbrella procession.
“It will be recalled that EDWIIN donated 200 umbrellas and 14 SPF 50 sunscreens to persons living with Albinism. The party was nowhere in the picture”
The procession was to bring awareness to the plight of persons living with Albinism
“Our use of umbrella during this period was to pass a message of covering, of inclusion and of recognition that a few cross sections of our citizens have been born with peculiar imperfections that should be considered and acknowledged in the blueprint of our nation’s policy.
It is Insensitive and morally wrong. The said party are viewed as inclusion insensitive and most governors under the party are yet to sign the disabilities bill to law.
The ruling party, in all his imperfections and shortcomings, signed the disability bill since 2019, and 3 years down the line; even the labour party are inclusion sensitive.
“It is however shocking to find the same anti-PWD group, stealing the idea of the same group they have so undermined and relegated to the background, seizing the opportunity to stage a vain rally with a stolen idea and matched it to its blurry agenda.
“This is an assault and an affront to the collective integrity of the PWDs and their conveners, and we wholesomely dissociate our brand from the rally.
“We consider the unfortunate move by this party as disgraceful and most embarrassing, as we expect more from a 24-year-old political party who should be the symbol of integrity in Nigeria”.
“As EDWIIN, we do not support, endorse or campaign for any political candidate and implore the general public to disregard any gesture from any of the parties that suggest otherwise.
“However, we will continue to monitor closely, the political environment and advocate for political capital of persons living with disabilities”, she stated.