The Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), Grace Jerry, has reaffirmed that more than 40 million Nigerians live with disabilities, underscoring the urgency of passing a stand-alone Disability Bill in Benue State.
Speaking during a One-Day Technical Review Session of the Benue State Disability Bill in Makurdi on Monday, Jerry emphasized the need for a robust legal framework that directly addresses the realities and challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the state.
“Persons living with disability represent a huge demography… It is imperative to have in place a stand-alone bill in Benue State, as obtainable elsewhere,” she stated.
The event was organized by IFA in collaboration with the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD) and the Benue State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Jerry described the session as a collaborative step towards aligning Benue’s disability legislation with national and international standards. The reviewed bill, she said, will serve as a “beacon of hope and empowerment” and a reflection of the state’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice.
Lawmakers, Stakeholders Back Bill
Representing the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, lawmaker Kennedy Angbo confirmed that the Bill has already passed its first and second readings in the House. He assured that the Assembly is committed to ensuring its full passage and assent, promising that “no stone will be left unturned.”
Dr. Leo-Angelo Viashima, Director General of the BICD, applauded all contributing stakeholders and especially praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for personally supporting the bill through its legislative journey.
“We will not allow any flaws in the piece of legislation,” Viashima asserted.
Legal Framework and Enforcement
Delivering a legal overview of the bill, partner Joseph Gbagyo revealed that the legislation comprises 17 parts and 59 sections. It includes the creation of a Disability Rights Commission, tasked with overseeing enforcement, investigating complaints, raising public awareness, and ensuring legal remedies for violations.
Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (represented by Sunday Sabeh), stressed the importance of practical legislation for integrating persons with disabilities into society. He noted that once enacted, the bill would mandate inclusive infrastructure and penalize the absence of disability-access provisions in public buildings.
Community Endorsement
Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Benue, Onah Adeyi, hailed the initiative as “a great honour” and thanked the government for backing the Executive Bill. He urged the State Assembly to speedily pass the bill after the review.
With broad-based support from civil society, government, and the disability community, the Benue State Disability Bill is poised to become a landmark law in the protection of disability rights in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
