News Investigators The Zamfara Government has approved the establishment of the State Persons With Disability Board.
The Secretary to the Government, Abubakar Nakwada, stated this in a statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday.
Mr Nakwada said that the establishment of the board followed the recent amendment of the State law designed to safeguard the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
According to him, the move is to protect them from any form of discrimination, and promote equal access to opportunities in every aspect of society.
“In fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive governance, Gov. Dauda Lawal has approved the establishment of the Zamfara Persons with Disabilities Board.
“The key amendments to the law include the substitution of the board’s ‘Chairman’ with ‘Executive Chairman’; the ‘Executive Secretary’ with ‘Secretary’ and ‘part-time members’ with full-time members.
“The amended law has also made it mandatory for the members of the board to be among the PWDs to ensure that all activities of the board serve the interests of the targeted groups,” SSG said.
Mr Nakwada further said that the Governor had also appointed Usman Nahuche as the pioneer Chairman of the newly established board.
Mr Nahuche, a retired Permanent Secretary from the state civil service and a member of the Deaf cluster, brings extensive experience in governance and advocacy.
“Other members of the board appointed include Hajiya Amina B.M. Audu (Spinal Cords cluster), Tukur Abdullahi (Deaf cluster), Babangida Shinkafi (physically challenged), Umar Babangida (Blind cluster), Binta Namadi (Rep. of women), and Sani Abubakar as a member.
“The establishment of the board reflects Lawal’s unwavering commitment to social justice, equity and inclusiveness.
“The governor charged the appointees to work diligently towards uplifting the living standards of PWDs across the State,” the SSG added.
He quoted Lawal as expressing appreciation to all the development partners and stakeholders who supported the process of amending the law.
NAN
