By Jibrin Hussaini Kundum, Bauchi
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Bauchi State Government have emphasized the importance of inclusive governance for people with special needs in the state.
The Executive Chairperson of Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Mrs. Brisca Jarom AAron, stated this during the inauguration of the State Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group, which took place at the Conference Hall of Maryama Guest House, Bauchi.
Mrs. Brisca noted that “The present administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad would continue to support persons with disabilities as a testament of his belief in equity, dignity, and creating opportunities for them”.
She examined that the State Agency for Persons with Disabilities had witnessed remarkable progress in the review of the state disability law to address emerging issues affecting persons with special needs.
In a remark, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Dr. Abubakar Yakubu Sulaiman, represented by the member representing Kirfi Constituency, Barrister Habibu Umar, said “The bill to establish Persons with Disability Commission had passed its second reading”.
Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman assured people with special needs that their rights as Nigerians would be protected and urged them to continue supporting government policies and programmes that would improve their rights.
In her presentation during the inauguration, the Disability Diversity and Inclusion Analyst of the United Nations Population Fund, Mrs. Wunmi Laolu Akande, said “The creation of the Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group was to strategize platforms that would harmonize collective efforts towards ensuring no person with disability is left behind in our development agenda”.
She explained that the terms of reference of the technical group include conducting mapping and updating relevant actors implementing programmes for Persons with Disabilities across the twenty local government areas of Bauchi State.