Diaspora 6 Dec. 2025: Roy Ofori,African Heritage Global Affairs Editor
In a landmark gathering that reinforced the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s reputation as Nigeria’s most inclusion-driven political movement, the ADC Diaspora Network (ADC-DN) and National Zonal Coordinators convened the Strategic PWD Convergence on Saturday, 6 December 2025, via Zoom under the transformative theme “Closing the Gap Between ADC-DN and PWD at Home.” The meeting marked a decisive step toward strengthening synergy between Diaspora experts and domestic champions of inclusion, further affirming the ADC’s identity as Nigeria’s foremost pro-inclusion political institution.
Hon. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi opened the session with a compelling reflection on the long-standing disconnect between successive governments and the lived realities of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria. He emphasized that the gathering was far more than a routine virtual meeting, it was a coordinated effort to harmonize vision, repair institutional gaps, and elevate the political empowerment of Nigerians with disabilities through disciplined, value-driven engagement.
The convergence drew a distinguished constellation of leaders at home and in the Diaspora, whose reputations span national administration, global expertise, and decades of public advocacy. Among these were H.E. Solomon Dalung, National Diaspora Coordinator who gave a Goodwill message; Dr. Chike Okogwu, ADC National Leader for PWDs; Prof. James Okoroma, Chairman of ADC Imo State; Dr. Beniamin, Head of Surgery and A&E at IGH Al Jout in Saudi Arabia and Chairman of ADC-DN Asia & Middle East; Elizabeth Audu Lawrence, Trauma Recovery Practitioner and Founder of Zen Hub Mental Health Initiatives; and Ms. Loretta Onichei, former Senior Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari who gave a strategic presentation; as well as other prominent members and leaders of PWD communities both at home and in the Diaspora. Each offered crucial policy insights drawn from years of professional excellence, political leadership, and deep engagement with marginalized communities.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the powerful intervention delivered by Dr. Chike Okogwu, ADC National PWD leader whose message captured both the urgency and the promise of the moment. He recalled Nelson Mandela’s timeless reminder that “the true measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable members,” affirming the ADC’s pioneering leadership in celebrating Persons With Disabilities at the International Day of Persons With Disabilities. He noted that the ADC broke new ground by enabling him to become the first PWD aspirant to seek the office of President of Nigeria, an achievement that symbolizes the party’s unwavering commitment to inclusion.
Dr. Okogwu also underscored sobering realities: with one in five Nigerians living with a disability, according to the World Health Organization, systemic barriers persist. He reminded the gathering that the World Bank estimates that inclusive policies can boost a nation’s GDP by up to 7%, making disability inclusion not only a moral responsibility but also an economic strategy. Calling for deeper Diaspora partnership, he appealed for practical support from educational resources and technological innovation to assistive devices, emphasizing the principle: “Nothing about us, without us.” He urged collaborative efforts to advance accessible infrastructure, inclusive education, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship pathways, and strong policy advocacy.
These contributions were reinforced by other influential ADC-DN leaders, including Chief Peter Mozie, Chairman of ANID and ADC-DN Americas; Hon. Rose Rahila Adamu, Deputy Chairman of ADC-DN and Woman Leader; MacGodwin Iweajunwa, ADC-DN Director of Media & Communications; and Chief Ambassador Toni Tuklan, ADC-DN Secretary. Together, they enriched the dialogue with practical solutions aimed at sharpening the party’s inclusion framework and energizing its strategic direction toward 2027.
Discussions flowed naturally across critical themes: strengthening communication discipline within the Diaspora network; expanding the reach of the party’s representation model 35% Women, 35% Youth, and 5% PWD; improving cross-continental coordination; and transforming Diaspora-driven policy ideas into actionable interventions at home. Participants commended the ADC’s national leadership for championing PWD inclusion and affirmed the need to merge global expertise with local realities, ensuring that Nigerian PWDs benefit from international best practices in governance, medical care, mental health, and social development.
By the end of the session, a clear consensus emerged: closing the gap between ADC-DN and PWD communities in Nigeria is not only a strategic imperative but an ethical responsibility central to national renewal. Hon. Gbandi thereafter announced the formation of an ADC-DN/PWD Strategic Alliance to harness Diaspora capacity in support of PWD communities. The Strategic PWD Convergence 2025 now stands as evidence that when inclusive politics aligns with global experience and local commitment, the path toward a more equitable Nigeria becomes undeniably bright.
