For Immediate Release
WednesdayMay 14, 2025
ADVOCACY FOR DISABILITY ACT CLUSTER (ADAC) APPLAUDS THE TARABA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR PASSING THE TARABA STATE DISABILITY BILL
The Advocacy for Disability Act (ADAC), a consortium of five Civil Society Organizations (CSO), El-New Hope Foundation, Abia State; Global Youth Empowerment and Vulnerable Initiative, Adamawa State; Lawanti Development Community Foundation, Gombe State; Center for Peace Education and Community Development, Taraba State and the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Abuja Implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) through Palladium funded by USAID joins the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONPWD) Taraba State Chapter, members of Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) in Taraba State, and other CSOs in Taraba state, applauds the Taraba State House of Assembly for being an inclusive legislature as they passed into law a Bill to establish the Taraba State Persons With Disabilities Commission under the leadership of the Speaker RT Hon. RT Hon John Kizito Bonzena on Monday May, 5, 2025.
No doubt, this positive step demonstrates the inclusiveness and integrity of the Taraba State House of Assembly where it committed to ensure that a Disability Law will see the light of the day During the ADAC Legislative Retreat, Harnessing Legislative Support on the Gombe and Taraba State Disability Bill at the City Green Hotel, Jimeita Yola, held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Hon. Jethro Yakubu Zikengyu, a member representing the Wukari I constituency and the Majority Leader of the Taraba State House of Assembly, alongside other members of the Assembly present, had committed at the occasion of the retreat that the Disability Law will become a reality in Taraba state.
The reality of this passage demonstrates high uprightness on the part of the Assembly, birthing a new dawn for the Disability Community in Taraba State, and a demonstration in line with the inclusive nature of His Excellency Agbu Kefas, who has demonstrated passion for the community of Persons with Disabilities since he assumed office in May 2023.
The direction of the Taraba State Assembly in passing legislation that protects the rights of the disability community is no doubt the right step in the right direction, as this will enhance an avenue for sustained implementation of inclusive education, healthcare, social, economic, and civil rights on a rights-based basis, other than a charity model approach.
The ADAC Cluster joins the population of over half a million Persons with Disabilities in Taraba State to applaud this laudable step and the courage of Hon. Annas Shua’abu for sponsoring the bill and other members who believed and supported the cause.
While we commend the efforts of the House Committee on Social Welfare for their coordination efforts on the bill, ADAC also recognizes the efforts of the Commissioner for Social Justice and Reintegration in Taraba State, Dr. Philister Ibrahim Musa, the media, and CSOs whose relentless efforts informed contributions that delivered a credible process and a holistic document.
The ADAC eagerly awaits the birth of an inclusive state as Taraba State writes history and trusts that His Excellency Agbu Kefas will make the community of Persons with Disabilities in Taraba proud by assenting to the passed disability bill and establishing a Disability Commission to ensure full implementation.
The ADAC is proud to be part of this process and encourages the Taraba State Assembly to continue in this professional and people-oriented legislative leadership towards achieving inclusive legislation that will further help harness the potential of the disability community in Taraba State.
Grace Jerry
ADAC Cluster Anchor and Executive Director
The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA)