For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 24, 2025

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 and applauds the Taraba State Governor, His Excellency Abgu Kefas, for being an inclusive governor on the occasion of assenting to the Taraba State Persons with Disabilities Commission Bill. 

No doubt, this positive step demonstrates the inclusiveness and integrity of His Excellency in line with the commitment of the Taraba State House of Assembly, where it committed to ensuring that a disability law will see the light of 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 would become a reality in Taraba State.

The Governor’s assent demonstrates high uprightness on the part of the executive arm, birthing a new dawn for the disability community in Taraba State, and is a demonstration in line with the inclusive nature of His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas, who has demonstrated passion for the community of persons with disabilities since he assumed office in May 2023.

The assent of the Disability law provides the community of Persons with Disabilities in Taraba State legislation that protects their rights, which is no doubt the right step in the right direction, as this will enhance an avenue for sustained implementation of inclusive education, healthcare, social justice, and economic and civil rights on a rights-based basis, rather 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 earnest setting up of an inclusive disability commission by His Excellency that will implement the provisions of the law towards achieving an inclusive Taraba State and fully implement the provisions beyond assenting.

The ADAC is proud to be part of this process and encourages that all stakeholders consolidate efforts towards achieving inclusive states 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)