Owerri, Nigeria – Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Imo State have every reason to celebrate as Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma has officially signed the Imo State Disability Bill into law — a landmark achievement that cements the state’s commitment to disability rights and inclusive governance.
The bill, long clamored for by advocates and stakeholders, provides a strong legal framework to protect the rights of PWDs, ensure their participation in social and economic development, and combat discrimination across the state.
This milestone is also a testament to the power of collaboration, advocacy, and resilience within the disability rights movement.
A Promise Kept by TALI Foundation
The governor’s daughters, Prada Uzodimma and Oprah Uzodimma-Ohaeri, had in February 2025, during the launch of their NGO, The Ability Life Initiative (TALI), promised the disability community that the administration would prioritize the signing of the bill. Today, that promise has become a reality, bringing renewed hope for inclusivity.
The Role of Tireless Advocates
The journey to this victory was not without effort. Disability advocates such as Prince Iyke Ibe* and *Pastor Victor Ibegbulam, alongside *Comrade Chris Agbo through The Qualitative Magazine*, played a pivotal role in engaging the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly as far back as February 2024. Their advocacy helped push for the *expedited passage* of the bill, ensuring it did not languish in bureaucratic delays.
Similarly, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, along with other organizations, amplified the voices of PWDs to ensure the governor assented to the legislation.
Civil Society at the Forefront
Groups like the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Imo State chapter, also deserve accolades for their strategic advocacy. Their campaigns and community mobilization efforts further strengthened the call for legal protection and inclusion.
A New Dawn for Disability Inclusion in Imo
With the signing of this bill, Imo joins the growing list of Nigerian states that have adopted disability-specific legislation, bringing the state closer to aligning with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, at the federal level.
For many in the community, this victory is more than just a law; it is a lifeline of hope — a pathway toward education, employment, political participation, and dignity.
The inclusive future is possible in Imo State, and it begins now.
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