Abuja, Nigeria – July 14, 2025
As tributes continue to pour in from across Nigeria following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, one voice stands out among many — that of renowned disability rights advocate, media practitioner, and founder of the JOMIDA Foundation, Comrade Chris Agbo, who has described the late leader as “the best thing that has happened to the disability community in Nigeria.”
In a deeply moving tribute released on Monday, Comrade Agbo, who also serves as the Publisher of The Qualitative Magazine, joined millions of Nigerians to mourn the death of the former Head of State, while highlighting Buhari’s unparalleled contributions to disability rights, inclusive governance, and legislative advancement for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
“Death is inevitable,” Agbo began, “but what truly defines a great leader is the legacy they leave behind. In that regard, President Buhari left behind a legacy of inclusion, dignity, and justice for millions of Nigerians with disabilities.”
A Landmark Legacy for Disability Rights
Among the milestones Agbo pointed to was the historic signing of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act in 2019 — a piece of legislation long demanded by activists, but ignored by successive governments for over a decade.
“That singular act of presidential will restored hope to a forgotten population,” he said. “For years, we cried, we marched, we wrote letters — but it was under President Buhari that our voices were heard, and our rights were finally enshrined in law.”
The 2018 Act outlawed all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities and guaranteed their rights to education, healthcare, employment, political participation, and accessibility. It was a momentous breakthrough in the struggle for equality — and according to Agbo, one that earned Buhari a permanent place in the hearts of the disability community.
The Birth of the NCPWD – From Vision to Reality
Even more significant, Agbo noted, was the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in 2020 — a long-awaited institution charged with enforcing the rights and welfare of PWDs.
“The NCPWD changed everything,” he declared. “It gave us an identity, a platform, and a sense of belonging. For the first time, persons with disabilities had an official voice within the structure of government. We were no longer treated as an afterthought.”
According to Agbo, the creation of the Commission was not just bureaucratic fulfillment of the Act — it was a reflection of Buhari’s genuine commitment to disability inclusion. He praised the former President for backing the Commission with the necessary political will, appointments, and funding needed to set it in motion.
“That’s what makes Buhari’s legacy different. He didn’t stop at signing a bill into law. He backed it up with action. He followed through. That is leadership.”
Inclusion at the Top: A President Who Led by Example
Beyond institutions and laws, Agbo applauded the former President for breaking another glass ceiling — by becoming the first Nigerian leader to appoint a person with disability as a Senior Special Assistant on Disability Matters.
“That appointment wasn’t symbolic. It was a turning point,” Agbo noted. “It sent a clear message to every ministry, every state, and every stakeholder: inclusion is not a favour — it is a right, and it begins at the top.”
The move, he said, inspired a wave of state-level appointments and policy shifts, giving PWDs more visibility and voice in decision-making spaces across the country. It also empowered young persons with disabilities to dream bigger — seeing that they too could aspire to leadership.
“President Buhari opened doors that had remained shut for decades,” Agbo said with emotion. “He gave us a seat at the table. For that, we will always honour him.”
A Personal Reflection from a Life Transformed
For Comrade Agbo, the legacy of Buhari is not just political — it is personal.
As a disability rights advocate who has spent years pushing for systemic change, Agbo admitted that it was during the Buhari administration that he felt his advocacy bore its most significant fruit.
“It was under President Buhari that we saw policy meet practice. It was under him that disability advocacy gained national attention. And it was during his time that I, along with many others, felt validated, seen, and heard.”
A Farewell to a Leader of Courage and Inclusion
In closing, Agbo prayed for the peaceful repose of the former President’s soul and extended his heartfelt condolences to his family, the government, and the people of Nigeria.
“President Muhammadu Buhari may be gone, but his legacy lives on — in our laws, in our institutions, and in the dreams he helped make possible for persons with disabilities across the nation,” he concluded.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace. His courage, his service, and above all, his legacy of inclusion will never be forgotten.”
About Comrade Chris Agbo
Comrade Chris Agbo is a leading disability rights advocate, media practitioner, and social worker. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the JOMIDA Foundation for Persons with Disabilities and the Publisher of The Qualitative Magazine, Nigeria’s foremost disability-focused media platform. Through his activism, journalism, and leadership, he continues to champion the rights and inclusion of PWDs across Nigeria and beyond.
For further media inquiries, please contact:
📧 jomidafoundation@gmail.com, or qualitativemagazine@yahoo.com
📞 +234 803 547 9337
