by Chris Agbo
Going by the recent passing of the Yobe State Board of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Bill by Yobe State House Assembly, Comrade Mohammed Abba Isa, APC Zonal Disable Leader Northeast, Yobe State have expressed optimism that Governor Mai Mala Buni will assent to the bill.
In his expression of joy and celebration statement to The Qualitative Magazine, he said that when the news broke out on 2nd June 2020 that Yobe State House of Assembly has concluded work and passed bill for the third time “the Yobe State Board of Persons with disabilities affairs bill”, the atmosphere became so tensed, charge with euphoria of happiness from all quarters of persons with disabilities in the state.
“My phone was agog with traffic, leaders of persons with disabilities, friends from the media, CSOs and other partners in disability development agenda calling to authenticate the news” he said.
The story was indeed true going by the news from the state house of assembly.
“Judging from the prayers, optimism and shared beliefs on the spirit and letters of the said bill expressed by callers, I then realized that truly is a NEW DAWN for Persons with Disabilities PWDs in Yobe State However, is not yet UHURU” he said.
“Hours gone by, I retired to my apartment to cool off but unfortunately I couldn’t because of concerns or questions from almost all callers that “DO YOU THINK GOV. MAI MALA WILL ASSENT TO THE BILL” my worry is not the question but what triggered the questions in the minds of these callers.” he worried.
Speaking further, he reaffirmed his confidence on His Excellency Mai Mala Buni that he knows him as someone who has Passion and Love for persons with disabilities both in the State and outside the state, knowing what he has done and still doing for persons with disabilities to reduce their sufferings. His Excellency sees Humanity before disability, potentiality before limitation, Empathy before sympathy, optimism before pessimism and equality before discrimination. For these reasons, he said that he has no single doubt that His Excellency Mai Mala Buni the Master of inclusion as PWDs fondly call him in Yobe State will Sign the bill into law once the bill is transmitted to him.
He also said that one may wonder why he is so convinced that the governor will sign that bill; it is borne out of His governor’s attitude of being disability sensitive, conscious and inclusive. All his policies and programs have been disability inclusive and his personal experience engaging with His Excellency also fueled his strong conviction.
“For us persons with disabilities in Yobe State and by extension north eastern states remain indebted to Governor Mai Mala Buni but like Oliver twist we need more. We need a legal document that will guarantee sustainability of his good policies and programs for persons with disabilities in the State. We want an end to public discrimination and stigmatization of our members on the basis of disability, we need total inclusion, and we need empowerment and our potentials enhanced. We want to contribute our quota to the development of Yobe State and the gateway is SIGNING INTO LAW THE YOBE STATE BOARD OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BILL AFFAIRS BY His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni.” He concluded.
