By Justina Auta
Sightsavers Nigeria, an NGO, has received an international award for improving accessibility and quality of primary education for children with disabilities in Kaduna State.
Its Communication Associate, Ms Joy Tarbo, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, that the award was presented to the NGO by the Zero Project, a global organisation.
Tarbo said the award was presented to the organisation at the United Nations Office in Vienna on Wednesday, for its role in testing a locally led blueprint for inclusive education in Jema’a, Kaduna State.
“Through the Inclusive Futures programme, a UK Aid’s flagship disability-inclusive development programme, we supported children between 4-14years living with disabilities in Nigeria in their right to access education.”
The Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, expressed delight at the award.
“We are immensely proud to receive the Zero Project award for our inclusive education work and strong partnerships with OPDs and the state Ministry of Education amongst other partners.
“This recognition reaffirms our belief that every child, regardless of disability, deserves access to quality education. Together we can achieve our goal of ensuring that no child is left behind in education”.
Also, Johannes Trimmel, Director, Inclusive Futures programme said: “It means so much to have our work recognised on a global stage by the Zero Project awards.
“People with disabilities and their representative organisations need to be included in development programmes to shape and transform the societies that we live in.
“This recognition motivates us to amplify efforts in providing education for children with disabilities.”
The Zero Project awards recognise organisations that have removed barriers for people with disabilities through their innovative and scalable solutions.
Sightsavers won the award in partnership with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), a consortium of more than 20 organisations, working together to ensure PWD are included in development and humanitarian programmes. (