Nigeria at 66: Foundation urges Tinubu to act on inclusion, healthcare

In Nigeria's 66th year since gaining independence from British colonial rule, the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to prioritize the inclusion of vulnerable citizens in national development. In a statement to the media, DSFN's CEO, Mrs. Rose Mordi, urged the government to deliver transparency, accountability, and deliberate inclusion of marginalized groups.

Mordi emphasized that Nigeria's 66 years of independence should be accompanied by better living conditions and dignity for all citizens, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome. She called for stronger healthcare policies that specifically address the needs of this population and ensure their affordable and consistent access to specialized care.

Mordi also stressed the importance of removing social and economic barriers that prevent citizens from fully participating in society, calling for Nigeria to build a nation where independence means more than freedom from colonial rule; it must also mean freedom from exclusion and neglect.