Jalingo, Taraba State – May 2025 — In a significant victory for disability rights and inclusive governance, the Taraba State House of Assembly has passed the long-anticipated bill establishing the Taraba State Persons with Disabilities Commission. The milestone, achieved on Monday, May 5, 2025, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, has been widely hailed as a defining moment in the state’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The passage of the bill drew resounding commendation from a coalition of five Civil Society Organizations under the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC), in partnership with the Taraba State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and other advocacy groups across Nigeria. The coalition described the legislative success as a testament to sustained grassroots advocacy, political will, and collaborative leadership.
A Long-Awaited Promise Fulfilled
According to the coalition, the bill’s passage was a direct outcome of pledges made during the ADAC Legislative Retreat held in Yola on December 12, 2023. At that event, Hon. Jethro Yakubu Zikengyu, Majority Leader and representative of Wukari I Constituency, publicly committed to championing the passage of the bill—a promise now fulfilled with integrity.
“This is not just a legislative win; it is a life-changing development for over half a million persons with disabilities in Taraba State,” declared Grace Jerry, Cluster Anchor for ADAC and Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA). “It affirms that inclusive governance is possible when the right people are in leadership and when voices from the grassroots are amplified.”
Unity in Advocacy: CSOs, Government, and Media Drive Progress
The Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC) brings together five leading organizations from across Nigeria:
- El-New Hope Foundation (Abia)
- Global Youth Empowerment and Vulnerable Initiative (Adamawa)
- Lawanti Development Community Foundation (Gombe)
- Center for Peace Education and Community Development (Taraba)
- Inclusive Friends Association (Abuja)
These organizations, in coordination with the media, civil society groups, and the disability community in Taraba, sustained relentless advocacy and awareness campaigns that created the momentum behind the bill.
Jerry paid special tribute to Hon. Annas Shua’abu, the bill’s sponsor, as well as the House Committee on Social Welfare, for their tireless dedication and coordination throughout the legislative process.
The coalition also recognized the strategic role played by Dr. Philister Ibrahim Musa, Commissioner for Social Justice and Reintegration, whose support galvanized stakeholder engagement and helped translate advocacy into action.
From Charity to Rights-Based Governance
The newly passed legislation marks a seismic shift in how disability is approached in Taraba. It moves away from the outdated charity-based model to a rights-based framework that guarantees equal opportunities, legal protections, and accessible services for persons with disabilities.
“This bill is more than ink on paper—it is the legal foundation for a more just, inclusive, and equitable Taraba State,” said Jerry. “With this, we are laying the groundwork for access to education, healthcare, employment, and political participation without systemic barriers.”
The commission, once inaugurated, will serve as a regulatory and implementation body to enforce disability laws, oversee inclusive policies, and protect the rights of PWDs in the state.
Call to Action: Governor Kefas Urged to Sign Without Delay
While celebrating the legislative triumph, ADAC and its partners urged Governor Agbu Kefas to demonstrate his continued commitment to inclusive governance by giving prompt assent to the bill.
“Since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Kefas has shown a progressive approach to human rights and social inclusion. Signing this bill into law would not only reinforce his legacy as a people-centered leader but would also transform the lives of thousands who have waited for years to be recognized and supported by law,” said the coalition in a joint statement.
Sustaining the Momentum for Disability Rights
The passage of the Taraba disability bill adds to a growing wave of disability-inclusive legislation across Nigerian states, signaling a national shift toward compliance with the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
ADAC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the state through the next phase—implementation—and called on all stakeholders to ensure that the Commission is adequately funded, inclusive in its structure, and empowered to enforce accountability.
“The work does not stop here,” Jerry emphasized. “We must now ensure that this Commission becomes a living institution that delivers real change in the lives of persons with disabilities.”
Conclusion: A Beacon for Inclusive Governance
As the disability community in Taraba State celebrates this watershed moment, the state now stands at the threshold of transformative inclusion. The successful passage of the bill demonstrates what is possible when lawmakers listen, when advocacy is strategic, and when the rights of marginalized communities are placed at the center of governance.
Taraba has spoken—and it has spoken in the language of justice, dignity, and hope. All eyes now turn to Governor Kefas to complete this historic process and give life to the Commission that will forever reshape the landscape of disability inclusion in the state.
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