The Association for Handicapped Persons Welfare, also known as the Special Persons Association of Nigeria (SPAN), has called on government and the private sector to bring persons with disabilities into every area of national life.
The call was made on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the 34th Annual National Handicapped Excellence Awards and Anniversary, held at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos.
The event, themed "Victory" and drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:57, honoured excellent persons with disabilities and their supporters.
Delivering the keynote address, the association's National Co-ordinator, Mr. Chidi Nwankwo, said the country could only win as a people if no one was left out. "For us to secure victory as a nation we should apply inclusion of persons with disabilities in all sectors of the economy especially the political sector," he said, adding that this should extend to law, banking, sports, education, social development, agriculture, construction, medicine, science and technology.
According to him, "By so doing there will be a more vibrant economy and society without stigmatization nor discrimination."
Nwankwo described victory as "the act of overcoming a hard problem, a struggle, battle, war, hurdles," and said it ultimately comes from God. He urged attendees to seek victory through prayer, humility before God, applying the word of God, and generous giving to God's work and to persons with disabilities.
In his welcome address, the association's President, Mr. Princewill David, thanked God and Eko Hotel & Suites for supporting the programme despite the "rough atmosphere and nation's economic situation." He also appreciated the association's patrons and assured guests that "your plans and ventures will be victorious by the special grace of God."
David said the association's work has been held back by constraints that include lack of capital, infrastructure, motor vehicles, mobility aids and office equipment, as well as the absence of a vocational centre. "We therefore appeal for your kind generous support physically or online," he said.
He listed the association's aims as rewarding and uplifting excellent persons with disabilities, uniting persons with disabilities and the able-bodied, and proving "that there are abilities in disability." It also seeks to establish a vocational centre and a separate ministry for persons with disabilities. According to him, honouring achievers would boost their profiles and help reduce "the alarming rate of destitution."
The association, which was founded in 1991 and is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), said it has so far empowered over 6,000 persons with disabilities. Its services include scholarships, vocational and computer training, job placement, seminars, exhibitions, outreaches, arts and crafts, special sports, transport schemes, medical empowerment, advocacy and counselling.
"Disability is no longer a dead-end," Nwankwo said.
The event also featured awards presentation called Achievers' Excellence Awards to 10 individuals and organisations. The recipients were Tolulope Oke, a world para table tennis gold medallist; Lauritta Onye, a world para lifting gold medallist; Bode Sax, a visually impaired saxophonist; Talatu Clean Care; the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind; Hope Fountain School for the Deaf; the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria; Rose Jonathan, a physically challenged fashion designer; Esther Nworgu, a physically challenged world para lifting gold medallist; and Eko Hotel & Suites. https://nationalfocusng.com/2026/10/11/disability-group-calls-for-inclusion-across-all-sectors-as-it-marks-34th-anniversary/
