By; USMAN NASIDI, Kaduna
Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD) Kaduna State Chapter has expressed excitement over the assent on the passage of Kaduna State Disability Act by Governor Nasir el-Rufai, optimistic that it’s passage would take their members of the streets.
This was expressed at a media briefing by JONAPWD at the Conference Room of Kaduna State Rehabilitation Board, Abubakar Kigo Road Kaduna on Thursday October 7, 2021, which text was read by State Chairman JONAPWD, Suleiman Abdulazeez.
“We sincerely believe that this legacy achievement by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State will take our members off the street, erased the frequent experience of discrimination and barriers faced by the Community to participate in all aspects of Society.
“Example in accessing Public building, Health care, Education, Employment and Transportation etc. and create an enabling environment for the Disability Community to enjoy better livelihoods,” the group said.
JONAPWD Kaduna chapter said that it is happy to inform the general public that the long awaited Disability Bill has been passed to Law by His the Excellency the Executive Governor of Kaduna State Mal. Nasir el-Rufai.
“The bill was initiated by JONAPWD Kaduna State Chapter under the leadership of Comrade Rilwan M, Abdullahi than as a private Bill in 2009.
“The Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Humans Services, the Staff and Management of Kaduna State Rehabilitation Board now (Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board), Civil Society Organization, Development Partners, friends and well wishers of disability communities good morning.
“The purpose of this proposed bill than was to mainstream and integrate persons with disabilities into the larger society.
“Bill is to make sure that persons with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone, it also guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public, private sector to access equal services delivery above all inclusion,” the group said.
They said that however, during 2015 general election campaign engaged persons with disability and promise if elected, he will take up the bill as an Executive Bill, and by extension of that engagement he has keep to his promise.
“In a note shall it’s a social contract between this present administration and people with disabilities in Kaduna State.
“Ladies and gentlemen we are happy to inform at this junction that the bill has finally been assented into law, His Excellency has kept to his campaign promises to persons with disabilities in the state, however, this bill wouldn’t have seen the light of the day,
“The Executive Governor of Kaduna State signed into Law the Kaduna State Disability Law following over 10 years of relentless advocacy by the Disability Community with Civil Society and Media supporting the Community to ensure the Bill sees the light of day. from relevant stakeholders such as Kaduna State House of Assembly, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, Ministry of Justice, Kaduna State Rehabilitation Board, Accountability lab, PERL, CALPED, SAVI, CCD, Sight Saver, Gender Working Group and Dr. Hajiya Amina Salihu former Board chairperson of Rehabilitation Board, Alhaji Musa Zubairu Permanent Commissioner House of Assembly Service Commission, Hope for the Village Child,” they said.
The group highly commended the action and effort of the State Government for promoting the rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“We believe that this Law will guarantee the rights and rehabilitation of PWDs to achieve equalization of opportunities and the entire Disability Community will be afforded full access to the society at large,” they stressed.
They used the medium to thank and appreciate the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mal Nasir el-Rufai, the people’s State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani as Speaker, Commissioner of Human Service and Social Development and the Director Rehabilitation Board.
They also thanked Coalition of Association for Leadership Peace Empowerment & Development (CALPED), Partner to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL), Accountability Lab, Open Kaduna Radio and other CSOs/Media and individuals for their wonderful contribution towards the actualization of the Kaduna State Disability Law.
