Disability rights advocate honored with two prestigious awards
Inclusivity/Gender
Benin, Edo – Melody Omosah Esq., a prominent lawyer and Executive Director of the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), has been recognized with two major awards for his tireless advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
In a heartfelt announcement shared on social media Friday, Omosah expressed profound gratitude for being named Disability Advocate of the Year at the 2025 Leadership and Development Awards.
He described the honor not as a personal triumph but as motivation to intensify efforts toward inclusion, justice, and equity.
"This award is dedicated to every advocate who stands for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, those who challenge exclusion, push for accessible systems, and remain committed to ensuring that rights are protected, not negotiated," Omosah stated, noting, "Your work matters, and your voices count."
Omosah, who serves at the Citizens Mediation Centre under the Edo State Ministry of Justice, reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening advocacy, policy engagement, and people-centered justice through NAPVID and related platforms.
Additionally, Omosah was bestowed the Award of Meritorious Service by the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOs), an umbrella body for NGOs in Edo State.
The award acknowledges his outstanding contributions to humanity, civic engagement, and nation-building.
"For me, service is about people, purpose, and responsibility beyond titles," he noted
According to him, "This moment reinforces the importance of staying committed to the collective efforts that make impact possible."
A visually impaired advocate himself, Omosah has been a leading voice in Edo State for disability rights.
Through NAPVID, he has championed initiatives like Project HELP (focusing on health, education, livelihood, and palliatives for PWDs), called for adequate funding of the state's Disabilities Commission, advocated for inclusive education and anti-trafficking measures, and pushed for the full implementation of the Edo State Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Law.
His work has included collaborations with government agencies, international bodies like the UNODC, and local partners to amplify the voices of PWDs and promote social inclusion.
These dual recognitions highlight Omosah's impactful role in advancing disability rights and humanitarian service in Nigeria, inspiring continued progress toward a more equitable society.
