Buni signs disabilities bill into law

Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has assented to the state’s 2025 Appropriation Bill, promising to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

This was as Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State signed the long-awaited Disabilities Protection Bill (DIPB) into law.
In a statement, yesterday, by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Abubakar Bawa, the Sokoto governor was quoted as describing the 2024 budget implementation as a success story.
  
Aliyu reiterated his administration’s determination to continue to execute the people-oriented projects he started.
  
“In the outgoing year, we succeeded in executing many developmental projects that impacted positively on the lives of our people.
  
“We would, in sha Allah, sustain this invaluable gesture by delivering more dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of our people,” he vowed.The governor further reaffirmed his administration’s support for the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.He thanked the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of bills, which, he said demonstrated the commitment towards making the lives of the people better. He further thanked the citizens for their prayers and continued support of his administration.

The House of Assembly, Tukur Bodinga, reportedly said the lawmakers had subjected the appropriation bill to thorough scrutiny, and that such an approach was in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the electorate.

Bodinga commended the governor for the dividends of democracy he had so far delivered across the state, assuring him of the lawmakers’ support for his policies to transform the state.
 
 ACCORDING to Buni, the bill has been added with the establishment of a Commission to address the needs of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
Assenting to the bill, on Friday, in Damaturu, he disclosed: “The DIPB is a legal framework to empower people with disabilities in every part of the state,” adding that it would also promote their active participation in the socio-economic development of the society.

Buni noted that the implementation of the bill by the PWDs’ Commission would protect the rights of PWDs. Besides the protection of rights, he said: “The signed bill mandates the elimination or breaking of barriers that hinder accessibility with equal opportunities for PWDs.”
  
Civil society organisations (CSOs), including the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) commended Buni for signing the long-awaited bill into law. They described the PWDs bill as a significant step towards the “inclusiveness and empowerment” of people with disabilities in the state.