As part of ongoing efforts to advocate for the domestication of the Disability Act in Benue State, the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), led by Executive Director Grace Jerry, held a significant meeting with the Director General of the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Prof. Jerome Andohol. The discussion centered on the key provisions of the proposed Disability Bill, emphasizing its potential to greatly benefit the community of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and contribute to the state’s overall progress.

During the meeting, Grace Jerry highlighted how the passage of the bill would provide much-needed legal protection for PWDs and create a more inclusive society. She urged the Director General to lend his voice to the call for Governor’s prioritization of disability rights and the swift domestication of the bill.

Prof. Andohol expressed his strong support for the initiative and committed to engaging key stakeholders, including members of the legislative assembly, to build a coalition that would back the speedy passage of the bill. He also stressed the importance of its effective implementation once enacted, marking a vital step toward ensuring the legal protection and social inclusion of PWDs in Benue State.

This visit is part of IFA’s broader advocacy efforts to ensure that the Disability Act is enacted and implemented in Benue State, aligning the state’s legal framework with national standards and international conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

With Prof. Andohol’s commitment and the ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders, there is renewed hope for advancing disability rights in Benue State.