Gombe State has taken another decisive step toward advancing disability inclusion with the commencement of comprehensive renovation works at the Center for Special Education, London Mai Dorawa.
The Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities (GSCPWD), in collaboration with the North East Development Commission (NEDC), the Gombe State Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other key stakeholders, officially handed over the centre to the contractor on Tuesday for full-scale rehabilitation.
The renovation project, fully funded by the NEDC, is aimed at improving access to inclusive, equitable and quality education for persons with disabilities, particularly blind and deaf learners, in Gombe State and the wider North-East region.
The Center for Special Education, London Mai Dorawa, is the only specialised institution in Gombe State catering for blind and deaf pupils and students. It currently serves over 600 learners drawn from across the state and neighbouring North-East states. However, years of infrastructural decay had negatively affected learning conditions, safety standards, and the overall wellbeing of both students and staff.
In response to these challenges, the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya placed the centre under the direct supervision of the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities. The move is intended to ensure focused oversight, inclusive management and sustainable development of disability-focused institutions in the state.
The scope of the renovation includes the rehabilitation of hostels, classrooms and staff quarters, construction of perimeter fencing, landscaping, and a complete overhaul of the school environment to make it safe, accessible and conducive for learning.
Stakeholders described the intervention as a major milestone in disability inclusion under the current administration. Since the establishment of the GSCPWD in 2024, the Gombe State Government has continued to implement policies and projects aimed at promoting the rights, dignity and full participation of persons with disabilities across key sectors.
The disability community in the state expressed profound appreciation to Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his inclusive approach to governance and sustained commitment to empowering persons with disabilities to live independent, productive and dignified lives.
They also commended the North East Development Commission for funding the project, describing it as one of the most significant disability-focused investments in the region, while calling for continued collaboration to deepen inclusive development in the North-East.
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