The Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC), a coalition of five civil society organizations, has applauded the Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency Agbu Kefas, for signing the Taraba State Persons with Disabilities Commission Bill into law.
ADAC—comprising 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) in Abuja.
In a statement issued by ADAC Cluster Anchor and Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, the coalition expressed deep appreciation to Governor Kefas for his commitment to inclusivity and for taking a bold step towards protecting the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Taraba State.
“This is a significant milestone that reflects the Governor’s passion and responsiveness to the needs of the disability community,” the statement said, adding that the governor’s assent marks a new dawn for the over half a million persons with disabilities in the state.
The bill, now a law, establishes the Taraba State Disability Commission, which will work to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and foster inclusive policies in education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and civil rights. ADAC emphasized that this development shifts the disability narrative in the state from a charity model to a rights-based approach.
ADAC also acknowledged the role of the Taraba State House of Assembly, particularly Hon. Annas Shua’abu, who sponsored the bill, and Hon. Jethro Yakubu Zikengyu, Majority Leader of the House, who had previously pledged the bill’s passage during a legislative retreat held in Yola in December 2023.
The statement further praised the efforts of the House Committee on Social Welfare, the Commissioner for Social Justice and Reintegration, Dr. Philister Ibrahim Musa, and various media and civil society organizations whose advocacy and input were instrumental to the success of the bill.
While commending this important legislative milestone, ADAC called for the swift establishment of the Disability Commission to ensure the full implementation of the law’s provisions.
“The real work begins now,” the statement added. “We urge all stakeholders to remain committed to building an inclusive Taraba State where the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities are recognized and upheld.”
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