Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, has signed the Disability Protection Bill into law, marking a significant milestone in the fight for the rights and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The bill establishes a Disability Commission tasked with addressing the challenges faced by PWDs and promoting their full participation in society.
As part of this initiative, Governor Buni appointed Usman Bra Gabai, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Yobe State, as the Acting Chairman of the newly formed Disability Commission.
The new law provides a robust framework for empowering PWDs by eliminating barriers to accessibility in education, employment, healthcare, and transportation while ensuring their fundamental rights are upheld.
Civil society organizations, including the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC), have commended Governor Buni for this landmark achievement, describing it as a progressive step toward inclusion and empowerment.
Comrade Mohammed Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, also praised the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes equal opportunities for all Nigerians. He hailed the establishment of the Disability Commission as a model for other states, reflecting Governor Buni’s commitment to inclusivity.
The Commission will oversee the implementation of the new law, focusing on accessibility in public and private spaces, compliance with disability rights, advocacy for PWD inclusion in policymaking, and the promotion of skills development and economic empowerment programs.
Advocacy groups hope that Yobe State’s leadership in disability rights will inspire similar initiatives across Nigeria, making the state a model for inclusion and equity.
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