Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has signed the Disability Protection Bill into law, marking a significant step toward the establishment of a commission dedicated to the welfare of Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
The governor appointed a senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science Gombe State University Ishaku Adamu, to lead the newly formed commission.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Government House in Gombe on Monday, Governor Yahaya expressed his continued commitment to supporting the PWD community in the state. He highlighted the measures his administration has already taken, such as appointing Special Advisers and Special Assistants to coordinate the needs of PWDs and ensure effective communication between them and the government.
“I have always prioritized the growth of the PWDs community since my assumption of office,” Yahaya said. “The establishment of this commission will provide a platform to address the needs and aspirations of our brothers and sisters living with disabilities.”
The governor also announced plans for the renovation and remodeling of the state’s only Special School and the construction of two additional Special Schools, one for each of the state’s senatorial districts.
Governor Yahaya expressed gratitude to the Gombe State House of Assembly for its commitment to passing the bill and to advocacy groups and stakeholders who championed the cause.
The Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Gombe, Adamu, praised the governor for fulfilling his promise to the PWD community, calling the bill’s passage a historic achievement. “Fifteen years ago, we presented a similar bill to the State House of Assembly, and it was rejected. Today, we witness this historic moment, and we will never forget it,” he said.
Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Luggerewo, noted that the legislature had carefully scrutinized the bill to ensure it met the needs of the PWD community, ensuring its passage aligned with their aspirations.
