… As OSSAP declares Kaduna Disability Inclusion Compliant
By Lanre Oloyede
In a groundbreaking step toward fostering disability-inclusive governance, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Abba Isa, and the Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani, have reached a strategic partnership agreement.
The meeting, which took place at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, marks a significant advancement in promoting inclusive governance in Kaduna State.
The Presidential aide’s visit, which was also in furtherance of the Disability Inclusion Governors Connect Program initiated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities ( OSSAP), saw the SSAP present an award of excellence to the Governor for distinguishing himself among other governors by embracing and entrenching inclusive governance in the state.
Recall that earlier in February, Lagos State governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, flagged off the maiden edition of the Disability Inclusion Governors Connect Program.
The program, which is a brainchild of SSAP Hon. Abba Isa, is a strategic partnership and engagement with Nigerian Governors to fashion national consensus on disability friendly policies in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The program seeks to connect with the 36 state Governors, raise awareness on disability issues, facilitate their compliance with disability norms, provide technical support through the process, rate and induct compliant administrators into the disability friendly Hall of fame, and to continue monitoring their compliance.
The program’s action plan includes disability inclusion audit of the various states, seminars/awareness raising, holding of governors connect conference on disability inclusion geared towards forming a national consensus on disability friendly policies across the states of the federation.
The discussion between Hon. Abba Isa and Governor Sani centered on strengthening the collaboration to create a mutually beneficial relationship that will advance the cause of disability inclusion across the state.
Speaking at the meeting, the Senior presidential aide commended Governor Sani for his efforts in promoting inclusive governance, noting that Kaduna State stands out among its peers.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the SSAP, Barr. Yusuf Iyodo, stated that Kaduna State has met the initial basic criteria for it to be recognized as a disability-compliant state.
Barr. Iyodo added that Kaduna state has fulfilled the basic set parameters which serve as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through which the 36 States of the federation will be assessed and rated for their Disability Inclusion Compliance.
According to him, the parameters for Disability Inclusion Compliance include: Enactment of Disability Law, Seting up of Implementation Agency, Inclusion of Disability Sensitivity in Development Plan, Provision of Disability Respinsive Budgeting Across Sectors. Ensuring Disability Sensitive Procurement and Provision of Disability Inclusive Governance.
“You tick all the boxes of the basic criteria and parameters, hence qualified to be recognized as a disability-compliant state,” Iyodo affirmed.
In his response, Governor Sani expressed his gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the state’s commitment to inclusive governance.
Governor Sani also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to justice and equality, stating that, “President Tinubu is one president who takes seriously issues of justice and equality. He’s lived all his life fighting for justice and equality; we fought together with him for democracy. Nobody has fought for justice and democracy like Tinubu.”
The governor mentioned that the fact that Kaduna State met the basic requirements for disability compliance didn’t come as a surprise as there was a deliberate policy on inclusive governance and Equal Opportunities in place in the state.
Governor Sani assured the SSAP of Kaduna State’s unwavering support for initiatives aimed at promoting disability inclusion.
“Kaduna State government is with you. We support every one of your activities. Thank you for coming. This is the beginning of our partnership,” he declared.
The meeting concluded with the embossment of Governor Sani’s signature on the Disability Inclusion Governors’ Connect flex, symbolizing his commitment to the cause, and the presentation of an award plaque to the governor in recognition of his outstanding contributions to disability-inclusive governance.
This strategic partnership is expected to set a new benchmark for inclusive governance in Nigeria, with Kaduna State leading the way in ensuring equal opportunities for all its citizens, regardless of their abilities.
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