Since 1996 when Gombe State was created from old Bauchi State, no administration has given attention to the plight of persons with disability except the current Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who considered it expedient to address the challenges these people face in the State.
These persons with disability have shouted on rooftop, created awareness in the state, pressurized opinion leaders to speak for them, lobbied lawmakers, politicians, academic and leaders of various administrations to come to their aids; all were in vain except this listening Governor, who believes in showing them the results of his administration’s good size, by providing permanent solution to their problems.
On the 23rd December 2024, at the Government House, Gombe, Governor Yahaya, with the support of the Members of the State House of Assembly broke the long-held barrier by signing the Gombe State Disability Protection bill into law.
Interestingly, the bill, officially known as the Gombe State Disability Protection Bill 2024, has been passed into law by the House of Assembly and signed by the Governor. This landmark legislation establishes the Gombe State Disability Commission, which aims to promote education, healthcare, and the well-being of persons with disabilities.
Noteworthy is that some key aspects of the bill included:
Empowerment and Inclusion- The commission will work towards empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring their inclusion in society.
Social Justice and Rights Protection -The bill protects the rights of persons with disabilities and ensures they have access to social justice.
Accessibility and Participation -The commission will promote accessibility and participation of persons with disabilities in various aspects of life.
The Governor has also appointed Dr. Ishiyaku Adamu, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Gombe State chapter, as the Executive Secretary of the Commission. This move demonstrated the government’s commitment to supporting the disability community and promoting their welfare.
Apart from the key aspects of the bill, the bill is expected to bring several benefits to the community, particularly in the areas of health, agriculture, and social welfare. One of the key benefits is the strengthening of partnerships between the Gombe State Government and organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will enhance efficiency in the health and agriculture sectors.
Also, in terms of budget allocation, the State Government has shown a commitment to prioritizing social benefits, with 6.8% of the budget allocated to this sector. This suggested that the bill will have a positive impact on the well-being of citizens, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and social services.
Also, some of the specific benefits of the bill may include:
Improved Healthcare-Enhanced partnerships and funding allocations are expected to improve healthcare services in the state.
Agricultural Development-The bill may provide support for agricultural development, leading to increased food production and economic growth.
Social Welfare-The allocation of funds to social benefits suggested that the bill will have a positive impact on the well-being of citizens, particularly in areas such as education and healthcare, hence, the bill is expected to bring a range of benefits to the community, and its passage is a positive step forward for the state.
Also, the Gombe State Disability Protection Law has other several key initiatives that promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities such as Accessible Systems and Structures, Inclusive Education, Healthcare, Political Participation, Inclusive Budgeting.
Furthermore, the bill has several provisions that promotes inclusive education for persons with disabilities through Establishment of Special schools for persons with disabilities in addition to the renovation and remodeling of the only Special School in the state.
It is therefore believed that the Gombe State Disability Protection law is a significant step towards promoting inclusive education and empowering persons with disabilities in the state.
The Governor said, “the establishment of the Disability Commission will serve as a platform to address the needs and aspirations of our brothers and sisters living with disabilities”.
He remarked that since coming onboard, he has been supporting the growth of the PWDs community, saying he previously appointed Special Adviser and Special Assistants to coordinate the activities of the PWDs and serve as liaison between them and the government.
The Governor used the occasion to inform the Disability community of his recent directives for the renovation and remodeling of the only Special School in the state, adding that his administration will build two additional Special Schools so each senatorial district can have one.
He commended members of the Gombe State House of Assembly for their commitment in passing the bill and acknowledged the contributions of advocacy groups and stakeholders who championed the cause.
Also, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, noted that the House had meticulously scrutinized every aspect of the bill to ensure its passage aligned with the aspirations of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) community.
The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Adamu, expressed gratitude to the Governor for fulfilling a promise he made to the PWDs during the electioneering campaign in 2019.
“Today, you’ve set a record. I remember when we met with you during the electioneering you made a promise that this bill would become a reality. And here it is today, we have witnessed this historic moment of signing it into law”, he stated.
“This commission will among others, promote education, healthcare and the well-being of persons with disabilities. Fifteen years ago, we took the same bill to the State House of Assembly, and it was rejected. Today, it has been passed and assented to. We will never forget this history. We thank the Governor, the State House of Assembly and other relevant stakeholders for making this possible”, Dr. Adamu added.
He informed the Governor that by signing the bill into law, Gombe has become the second state in the Northeast geo-political region to achieve this, assuring that he would work to ensure World Bank and other development partners support the commission in its activities.
The new Executive Secretary of the Disability Commission is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Gombe State University.
