CSOs commend Gombe gov for assenting disability bill

A consortium of five Civil Society Organisations under the auspices of Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) has lauded Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for signing the state’s Disability Bill into law.

Mrs Grace Jerry, ADAC Cluster Anchor and the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), gave the commendation in a statement in Gombe on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Yahaya on Monday signed the Disability Protection Bill into law and by that law established a Disability Commission in the state.

Jerry said that by the governor’s action, he had delivered on his pledge to promote inclusion while upholding the integrity of his words in supporting policies that better the lots of Persons with Disabilities (PLWDs) in the state.

She said that the signing had brought delight to over half a million communities of PLWDs in the state.

According to her, the development signified the dawn of a new era that would impact positively on the lives of PLWDs with regard to access to education, transportation facilities, health, infrastructure and political participation.

She said the law had also created the opportunity for PLWDs to hold the government accountable.

While congratulating Dr Ishaku Adamu, the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the disability commission, she said that the choice of Adamu who is the Gombe Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONPWD) was well-deserved.

Jerry commended the Gombe State Network of Civil Society (GONET), and media houses for their unwavering collaboration and support to ADAC in achieving the landmark feat.

She called on all Clusters on disabilities, media and other stakeholders to continue to work to ensure the implementation of the law towards the improvement of the welfare of PLWDs in the state.

“ADAC commends the efforts of the Gombe State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Mr Mohammed Luggerrewo who has lived to the integrity of their commitments,” she said.