The Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster, a consortium of five Civil Society Organisations El-New Hope Foundation, Abia State; Global Youth Empowerment and Vulnerable Initiative, Adamawa State; Lawanti Development Community Foundation, Gombe State; Centre for Peace Education and Community Development, Taraba State and the Inclusive Friends Association, Abuja, has applauded Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, over the recent assent on disability protection law and establishment of commission.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the cluster is implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement through Palladium funded by USAID.
The cluster in a press statement signed by the Anchor, and Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association; Grace Jerry, hailed Governor Yahaya for delivering on the integrity of his words in supporting policies that better the lots of Persons with Disabilities by signing to law, the Gombe State Disability Protection Law and establishment of Gombe State Disability Commission and other Matters related Bill on Monday, December 23, 2024.
Jerry disclosed that Yahaya set an unusual trend in governance by establishing a Disability Commission on the same day that he gave assent to the Disability Law, making Gombe State an inclusive state and demonstrating an exceptional and proactive governance system that was not benefited even at the National level.
The statement partly read, “The signing and constituting of the Commission’s leadership demonstrate a no-delay syndrome practiced in other states.
“This signing brought great delight to the over half a million community of Persons with Disabilities of Gombe State for the dawning of a new era in Gombe State as the birthing of this law will change the tides for the community and doubtlessly impact the education, transport, health, infrastructure, Political Participation, create accessible systems and structures, and an opportunity to hold government accountable.”
The statement further lauded the Executive Secretary of the commission Dr Ishiyaku Adamu, “ADAC rejoices Dr. Ishiyaku upon his appointment as head of the Disability Commission which well deserved, the Joint Association of Persons with Disability Gombe State Chapter, Gombe State Network of Civil Society, and the various Media Agency in Gombe State for their unwavering collaboration, and support towards for ADAC in achieving this landmark feat for the entire community of Persons with Disabilities of Gombe State,” the statement added.
Jerry also praised the efforts of the Gombe State House of Assembly for their efforts saying “ADAC commends the efforts of the Gombe State House of Assembly under the leadership of Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo who 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.
“The House Committee on Education, Hon. Shuaibu Adamu representing Kwami East sponsored the bill together with other members of the assembly who co sponsored, and the House Committee on Women Affairs and Special Duties for their unrelentless efforts on the legislative process of the bill.
“ADAC calls on all Clusters of Disabilities in Gombe State to work in unison rather than in silos in other to achieve collective gains that will move the Disability forward progressively. The Media at this period is required to maintain their previous support to help popularise the provisions of the law and in awareness creation to the public. The Assembly should continue to provide the required support that leads towards inclusive budgeting that will make the Disability Commission functional in implementing the provisions of the law.
“The journey towards the inclusive 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 the process and great feat achieved in Gombe State on the assent and establishment of the Commission in the state and committed to support and collaboration with the Disability Commission.”
