In a groundbreaking move, the Gombe State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the Gombe State Disability Protection Law.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the law establishes the Gombe State Disability Commission to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
“This is a historic day for the over half-million persons with disabilities in Gombe State,” said Grace Jerry, ADAC Cluster Anchor and Executive Director of The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA). “This law will ensure that their rights are protected and promoted, and they have equal access to education, healthcare, and political participation.”
The passage of the bill is the result of tireless efforts by the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster, a consortium of five civil society organisations, in collaboration with the Joint Association of Persons with Disability, Gombe State Network of Civil Society, and various media agencies.
The IFA, Abuja is implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement through Palladium funded by USAID.
“We applaud the Gombe State House of Assembly for their commitment to prioritising the disability bill and ensuring its passage into law,” Jerry added. “This demonstrates the assembly’s dedication to promoting inclusivity and protecting the rights of all citizens.”
Speaker Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo praised the bill’s sponsor, Hon. Shuaibu Adamu, representing Kwami East, and the House Committee on Women Affairs and Special Duties for their relentless efforts.
“This law will address critical issues such as accessible systems and structures, inclusive education, health, political participation, and inclusive budgeting,” Luggerewo said. “We are proud to have taken this significant step towards creating a more inclusive society.”
ADAC cluster lauded Gombe State Governor Muhammad Yahaya, for demonstrating unwavering support for the disability community, urging him to swiftly assent to the bill.
“We urge the governor to establish the commission without delay, ensuring the law’s provisions are implemented effectively,” Jerry emphasized.
The ADAC and its partners celebrate this milestone achievement, marking a new era of inclusivity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in Gombe State.
For Immediate Release
Friday, October 25, 2024
ADVOCACY FOR DISABILITY ACT CLUSTER (ADAC) APPLAUDS THE GOMBE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE GOMBE STATE DISABILITY BILL
The Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC), a consortium of five Civil Society Organizations (CSO) El-New Hope Foundation, Abia State; Global Youth Empowerment and Vulnerable Initiative, Adamawa State; Lawanti Development Community Foundation, Gombe State; Center for Peace Education and Community Development, Taraba State and the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Abuja implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) through Palladium funded by USAID namely, applauds the Gombe State House of Assembly on the passage into law the Gombe State Disability Protection Law and establishment of Gombe State Disability Commission and other Matters related Bill.
Is with great delight that the ADAC celebrates the dawning of a new era in Gombe State with the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONPWD) Gombe State Chapter, Gombe State Network of Civil Society (GONET), and the various Media Agency in Gombe State for their unwavering collaboration, and support towards achieving this landmark feat for the entire community of Persons with Disabilities of Gombe State.
Undoubtedly, the Gombe State House of Assembly under the leadership of Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo has lived to the integrity of their commitments made during the ADAC’s Harnessing Legislative Support on the Gombe and Taraba State Disability Bill at the City Green Hotel, Jimeita Yola, held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, and at the one-day legislative retreat on harnessing public hearing input on Gombe state disability protection law held in Bauchi in August 2024 to prioritize the disability bill and ensure its passage to law.
Thursday, October 24, 2024 history is made for the over half-million Persons with Disabilities in Gombe State due to the courageous and laudable step of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Shuaibu Adamu representing Kwami East who sponsored the bill together with other members of the assembly who cosponsored and the House Committee on Women Affairs and Special Duties for their un-relentless efforts on the legislative process of the bill.
Issues around accessible systems and structures, inclusive Education, Health, Political Participation, inclusive budgeting, and other issues of Persons with Disabilities in Gombe State will henceforth be attended to through the right-based approach and not out of sympathy.
The uprightness of the word of the Gombe State Governor, His Excellency Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya in ensuring policies and legislation that protect the Disability Community become a reality through his swiftness in assenting to this Bill and enlisting Gombe as an inclusive and pace-setter state.
The journey towards inclusivity of Gombe State has indeed been worthy because of the visionary, dynamic, and inclusivity leadership from the Executive arm of governance traversing to the legislative arm.
The ADAC is proud to be part of this process and encourages the inclusive, and people-oriented Governor, His Excellency Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya who has over the years without a law passionately catered for the welfare of the Disability Community to assent and establish the Commission in the nearest possible time. While congratulating the Disability Community, ADAC eagerly awaits the assent and birth of the Gombe State Disability Commission which is believed to be an achievement for His Excellency Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya administration.
Grace Jerry
ADAC Cluster Anchor and Executive Director
The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA)
