By Yahaya Sarki
Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, the Kebbi State Governor has continued to make headlines with the pioneering and historic establishment of the Kebbi State Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities.
This landmark initiative aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities by safeguarding their rights, fostering inclusion, and offering a myriad of opportunities in economic and educational sectors. It also ensures social spheres, while ensuring protection from discrimination.
Under Gov Idris’ leadership, Kebbi State has joined the ranks of other Nigerian states that have fully established disability commissions with the requisite legal backing and appointed board members.
While Nigeria’s National Commission for People with Disabilities was formed in 2012, Kebbi State’s own commission was inaugurated in 2024, following a public request made by individuals with disabilities during a BBC Hausa programme, ‘A Fada A Cika’, in Birnin Kebbi earlier this year.
States such as Plateau, Kwara, Ondo, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Lagos, Enugu, and Bauchi have similar commissions, making Kebbi State’s step a significant addition to this growing national movement for disability rights. This is indeed a very rare and epochal feat attained by the ever dexterous Kauran Gwandu.
During the presentation of the bill for the commission’s establishment by Rt. Hon. Usman Muhammad Ankwe, Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Gov. Idris reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the rights of the PWDs and ensuring their inclusion in governance affairs.
“My administration will tap the talents of all individuals, including those with disabilities, to contribute to even societal growth,” the governor declared.
On Aug. 28, 2024, Gov. Idris approved the composition of the Governing Board of the Kebbi State People with Disabilities Commission, appointing prominent advocates from the disability community.
Anas Malami was named Chairman, and Abdullahi Aliyu will serve as Executive Secretary. Other board members include: Jafar Bawa Aljannare, Aminu Ambursa, Abdulrazak Muhammad (Madiho), Mardiya Ahmad, and Musa Sarki Sadisu.
In an earlier move toward an inclusive governance, the governor also appointed five individuals with disabilities as Special Assistants. This effort is a further evidence of Gov. Idris’ dedication to the welfare of people living with disabilities, ensuring their protection, enhancing their quality of life, and shielding them from discrimination.
With the creation of this commission, it is expected that further needs of people living with disabilities will be addressed, such as the installation of accessible facilities in public and private buildings, enhanced participation in governance, and expanded educational and financial opportunities.
These plausible measures aim to reduce street begging by providing various skills acquisition programmes that will enable individuals to become more productive members of society.
The Chairman of the commission, Anas Malami, has expressed profound gratitude to Gov. Idris, saying, “This appointment is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the Kauran Gwandu’s unwavering commitment to the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in our state.”
He pledged to work tirelessly toward advancing the rights and well-being of the community of the people with special needs.
In just 33 years since the creation of Kebbi State, no administration has positively impacted the lives of people living with disabilities as much as the current government under Gov.Nasir Idris,Kauran Gwandu.
YAHAYA SARKI,
Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Media and Publicity
September, 2024.
