SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Mr. James David Lalu
Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disability
Mr. James David Lalu’s career started in 2007 when he served as the Senior Special Assistant on Disability affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2013. He was appointed Executive Member, Plateau State Disability Rights Commission where he headed the departments of Rehabilitation and Planning, Research and Statistics from 2013 to 2015. He initiated and served as the State Coordinator, Plateau State Community Based Rehabilitation Program from 2010 to 2015. He later joined the services of JASLONG Consulting LTD as the Managing Consultant/CEO focusing on Disability and Inclusive development and again, in March, 2017 he was appointed Executive Chairman, Plateau State Disability Rights Commission by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, a position he held until January, 2020. In June 2020 Lalu was appointed Member representing Persons with Disability in All progressives Congress National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, a position he held till March, 2022. Additionally, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR appointed Lalu as the pioneer Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disability on 17 August, 2020 to date.
In 2010 Lalu was elected into the Membership of the Executive Committee of the CBR Africa Network until 2015. He also serves as the pioneer President of the CBR Global Network. He attended several local and International conferences. Lalu, as he is well known contributed immensely in promoting the rights and dignity of Persons with Disabilities. Through the CBR Global network, Lalu led an International delegation to the United Nations, where he presented position of the Organization in the debate leading to the composition of the Sustainable development goals, The CBR Global network’s contribution stressed on the protection of the rights and disability of Persons with Disabilities in the society. He also participated in other advocacy programs within the African continent which sought the protection of Persons with Disabilities. At home, Lalu has been actively supporting effective participation of persons with Disabilities in Politics and Governance and has successfully lobbied for the appointment of over 30 Persons with Disabilities in Political appointments and employment within plateau and other states
Mr. James served in several capacities within the Disabled Peoples Organizations in Nigeria and is a recipient of the NATIONAL PRODUCTIVTY ORDER OF MERIT award presented by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR in 2018 among several other honors and recognition of his service to the Disability Community. He is very active in research, advocacy and lobbying for disability Inclusive development in his home State
