By Chidi Ugwu
The Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) has commended the Taraba State House of Assembly for the second reading of the Taraba State Disability Bill, aimed at establishing a commission for persons with disabilities.
In a statement, Grace Jerry, ADAC Cluster Anchor and Executive Director, The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), noted that this significant legislative step, led by Speaker RT Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, reflects a commitment to inclusivity under Governor Agbu Kefas. ADAC, alongside other civil society organizations, expressed support for the bill, emphasizing its potential to enhance education, healthcare, and civil rights for over half a million individuals with disabilities in Taraba.
She declared that the Assembly’s actions mark a pivotal move towards an inclusive state, expressing excitement that the Governor, His Excellency Agbu Kefas will make the community of Persons with Disabilities in Taraba proud by assenting to the Bill as soon as the Assembly is through with their Legislative process.
The statement reads: “The Advocacy for Disability Act (ADAC), a consortium of five Civil Society Organizations (CSO), 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), Abuja Implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) through Palladium funded by USAID joins the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONPWD) Taraba State Chapter, and other CSOs in Taraba state, applauds the Taraba State House of House Assembly for being an inclusive Legislature on the occasion of the second reading of the A Bill to establish the Taraba State Persons With Disabilities Commission under the leadership of the Speaker RT Hon. RT Hon John Kizito Bonzena.
“During the ADAC Legislative Retreat; Harnessing Legislative Support on the Gombe and Taraba State Disability Bill at the City Green Hotel, Jimeita Yola, held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.
“Hon. Jethro Yakubu Zikengyu, a Member representing the Wukari I constituency, and the Majority Leader of the Taraba State House of Assembly alongside other members of the Assembly present had committed at the occasion of the retreat that, the Disability Law will become a reality in Taraba state.
“The reality of the Second reading and the fixing of Thursday, October 24, 2024, demonstrate high integrity on the part of the Assembly and a demonstration in line with the inclusivity nature of His Executive Governor, His Excellency Agbu Kefas who has demonstrated passion for the community of Persons with Disabilities since he assumes office.
“The direction of the Taraba Assembly in ensuring policies and legislation that protect the Disability Community is no doubt the right step in the right direction as it provides an avenue for sustained implementation of education, healthcare, social, economic, and civil rights on right base issues other the charity model approach.
“The ADAC Cluster joins the population of over half a million Persons with Disabilities in Taraba State to applaud this laudable step and the courage of Hon. Annas Shua’abu for sponsoring the Bill and other members who believed and supported the course.
“While we commend the efforts of the House Committee on Social Welfare in coordination with the Public Hearing, we encourage the Media and CSOs to make informed contributions that will drive a credible process toward a holistic document.
“The ADAC eagerly awaits the birth of an inclusive state as the Taraba State writes history and trusts that, His Excellency Agbu Kefas will make the community of Persons with Disabilities in Taraba proud by assenting to the Bill as soon as the Assembly is through with their Legislative process.
“The ADAC is proud to be part of this process and encouraged that the Taraba State Assembly continue in this professional and people-oriented legislative leadership towards achieving inclusive legislation that will further help harness the potential of the disability community in Taraba State”.
