LAGOS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria is committed to improving the lives of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Aisha Abubakar said Monday.

Abubakar made the remarks at a news conference to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

"It is only when people are empowered that they can better be prepared to take advantage of opportunities available to them and they become agents of change and are more available to embrace their civic responsibilities," the minister said.

Abubakar told reporters that the ministry, through its mandate and collaboration with various stakeholders, implemented numerous programs, aimed at ameliorating the barriers faced by PLWDs through the rehabilitation department.

She disclosed that activities to observe the day included distribution of aids and assisting appliances to PLWDs, capacity building, empowerment programs and measurement of amputees, from Niger and Abuja.

She listed major barriers affecting PLWDs, which include lack of relevant assisting technology, negative attitude toward disability, transportation barriers, social barriers, and programmatic barriers.

She said the major manifestation barrier was physical barriers to public buildings without ramps.

Abubakar said the observance was aimed at creating awareness on barriers to be broken, doors to be opened, individual attitude and government policies toward PLWDs to be changed.

The theme of the day for 2018 is "Empowering Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equity."