Group urges Gombe governor to sign disability law
Story from Najibullahi ADAMU, Gombe
A coalition of stakeholders under the aegis of the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) has called on the Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, to sign the Gombe State Disability Law which will pave the way for the establishment of the Gombe State Disability Commission.
As persons with disabilities in Gombe State have joined other states across the federation to celebrate Democracy Day, the anchor of ADAC in the state Mrs Grace Jerry made the call in a press statement issued to journalists on Monday.
She said the law, if implemented will go a long way in bettering the lives of persons with disabilities and enabling the community to hold state and non-state actors accountable as they ensure that the right systems are put in place in order to guarantee a fulfilled life through accessibility and the right based approach.
ADAC also called on other relevant government agencies responsible for ensuring that persons with disabilities live a fulfilled life to act in the right direction in order to make Gombe State an inclusive state for disabled people.
Neptune Prime reports that United Nations’ statistics estimate 15% of the world’s population to be persons with one form of disability or another and in Gombe State, it is estimated that over 550,000 persons live with various forms of disabilities.
The statement partly read, “With the huge population of persons living with disabilities, it is imperative to consider legislation that will protect their rights, and dignity in order to benefit from the diverse skills which reside within the cluster of these persons.
“Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster is implementing the strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement SCALE through Palladium with support from USAID,”
