“The State House of Assembly will continuously accord topmost priority to the disabled and Disability needs in all its legislative processes. We will endeavour to conform to best international legislative procedures.”
The above is an assurance by acting Governor Matawallen Maradun of Zamfara State, given through the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Nasiru Mu’azu at the opening of a one day public hearing on the Bill seeking prohibition of all sorts of discrimination against Persons with Disabilities. The Public hearing was organized by the House standing committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare.
The event took place at the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Teachers Training Development Centre, Eastern Bye pass Road, Gusau. It was a private member Bill, fully sponsored by a Person with Disability, Hon Salihu Usman Zurmi, representing Zurmi East constituency.
Magarya noted that by considering people with disabilities in legislative engagements, the assembly is not only trying to obtain international best practices. It is also striving to be in conformity with Islamic injunctions which enjoin all Muslims to show love and compassion to people with different forms of disabilities .
He went on to assure the gathering that on completion of all legislative requirements for a Bill as this, one of which is the public hearing, the 6th Assembly, under his leadership will leave no stone unturned in giving the bill a third reading and subsequently passing it into law. The State Governor will surely give his assent, Magarya confided.
Hon. Magarya, while commending foresight of the Bill’s sponsor, also saluted courage of the House standing committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare under the Chairmanship of Hon. Kabiru Magaji Kwatarkwashi for taking the bull by the horns, right to the stage of conducting a well attended public Hearing on the proposed bill.
The State Acting Governor also remarked that the proposed Bill, and efforts to pass it were most worthy of commendation.
Also, House Strategic Partners on another proposed Bill: “Save the Children”, under the leadership of State Advocacy Officer, Mallam Nura Muhammad Dantawasa Bukkuyum, were appreciated for their moral and financial support to the House Standing Committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare. Meanwhile, other International Donor Agencies in the State were called upon to emulate the Strategic Partners.
Speaker Magarya rejoiced with the teeming disabled persons who attended the occasion. He says he is very optimistic that there is “ability in every disability”. He went on to assure them that the Governor Matawallen Maradun led administration will always carry them along in every strategic aspect of governance.
Earlier, while speaking at the hearing, the Chairman, House Committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Kabiru Magaji Kwatarkwashi said organizing a public hearing will avail his Committee the opportunity to take the Bill to door steps of the disabled and so give them a level playing ground to make inputs to the proposed Bill.
Hon Kwatarkwashi assured relevant stakeholders that their contributions, and observations will definitely come to bear in the entire legislative process of the bill .
He remarked that public hearings form part of the cardinal responsibilities of lawmaking, stressing that the Magarya led 6th Assembly attaches high premium on this daunting task. He thanked Mr Speaker for giving them free reins to operate.
In his submission, Emir of Anka, Sarkin Zamfara Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, CON, advocated that leaders at all strata of governance learn how to communicate with People with Disabilities, particularly the Deaf and the mute. The Emir noted that it will thus be easier for these leaders to understand the immediate needs of such people with views to assisting them seamlessly.
Also speaking at the hearing was Alhaji Usman Nahuche, a retired Permanent Secretary of the State Civil Service. Nahuche who is well known in the Nigerian Deaf community talked through his interpreter. He drew attention of the House to the necessity of giving consideration to the truly disabled persons when passing the bill into law. The Disability Rights veteran called for formation of a State Disability Commission, stressing that their struggle for actualization of their rights dates back to decades.
Highlights of the occasion were presentations from different Disability clusters: the National Association of Crippled, its Blind counterpart, National Association of Lepers, the Deaf, as well as those with Spinal Cord Injury.
Clerk of the House, Shehu Saidu Anka, in his vote of thanks, appreciated all who attended the public hearing. He wished everyone journey mercies to their respective destinations.
Dignitaries at the Public hearing included Deputy House leader, Hon. Nasiru Bello Lawal Bungudu, Bill Sponsor, Hon. Salihu Usman Zurmi, Hon. Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma, member representing Maru North constituency. Others include National Commissioner, North West Zone of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Hajiya Amina Audu. International and Non Governmental Organizations also graced the occasion.