.Appoints PWDs Leader, Usman Bra As Chairman Disability Commission
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Comrade Mohammed Abba Isa has lauded Governor Mai Mala Buni CON for signing the state’s Disability Bill into law.
This was contained in a statement signed by Yusuf Ali, Senior Special Assistant, Digital and Strategic Communications in Abuja on Friday.
According to the statement, Comrade Abba Isa described the Governor’s move as a historic milestone which underscored the governor’s unwavering dedication to promoting inclusivity and ensuring the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities are upheld.
“This is a remarkable step that aligns seamlessly with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes equal opportunities and the empowerment of persons with disabilities across the nation.
“The establishment of the Disability Commission is a groundbreaking achievement that sets Yobe State as a model for others to follow in promoting the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities,” he stated.
Comrade Abba Isa also congratulated Usman Bra Gabai, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Yobe State, on his appointment as the Acting Chairman of the newly established Disability Commission, assuring that the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters will collaborate with the commission and the state government to intensify efforts towards building a more inclusive Nigeria.
The Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, had recently signed the Disability Protection Bill into law, in order to promote the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, and also established a commission dedicated to addressing the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
With the governor’s assent, the bill is now a law, and it’s expected to have a positive impact on the lives of persons with disabilities in the State.
It created a legal framework to empower PWDs, promote their participation in society and ensure their rights are protected.
The bill also mandated the elimination of barriers that hinder accessibility and equal opportunities for PWDs in education, employment, healthcare, transportation, and other sectors.
In a related development, the Civil society organizations, including the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC), also commended Gov. Buni for signing the bill into law, describing it as a significant step towards inclusion and empowerment for PWDs in the state.
The establishment of the Disability Commission is expected to oversee the implementation of the new law, ensuring that its provisions are adhered to across all sectors.
The Commission’s responsibilities include ensuring accessibility in public and private buildings, monitoring compliance with disability rights legislation, advocating the inclusion of PWDs in decision-making processes, and providing support for skills development and economic empowerment programs for PWDs.
The establishment of the Commission positions Yobe State as a model for disability inclusion in Nigeria, with advocacy groups hopeful that it will inspire other states to take similar steps to promote the rights of PWDs.
