by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe
16th February, 2025
Hon. Umar Jibril Bindawa is certainly a force to reckon with in the ensueing struggle towards the emancipation of PWDs in Katsina state and beyond. The State Coordinator, Katsina State APC Deaf Support Group and a former member of Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Directorate of PWDs for Tinubu/Shettima as well as Dikko/Jobe Campaign Council Katsina State, is the current Special Assistant (SA) on Disability Matters to the Governor of Kastina state, His Excellency Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda , PhD, CON.
Prior to his appointment to the rank of the SA on Disability Matters by His Excellency Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on 3rd March, 2024, Hon. Bindawa had a sting with the National Ear Care Centre, kaduna where he served as a Clerical Assistant Audiologist, at the Audiology Department of the centre. He also worked at Katsina State House of Assembly Liaison office/Guest house kaduna where he gained more experience about politics and shaped his administrative skills.
A Quest Towards An Inclusive Education For All
As part of his efforts to promote access to educational Inclusion for PWDs in Katsina State, Hon. Bindawa recently visited the Katsina State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education (MBASE), Hajiya Zainab Musa Musawa to present a Certificate of appreciation in recognition of her unwavering support and contributions to the successfully concluded "2024 Katsina State First Disabled Summit" which took place during the last year's November.
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| Hon. Bindawa during a presentation of certificate of appreciation to Hayiya Zainab Musa Musawa, Commissioner of Education recently |
The visit, Ability News Network understands, was aimed at fostering an effective working collaboration with the Honourable Commissioner's office in order to effectively address all concern on educational barriers, discrimination and other injustice meted against individuals with disabilities in Katsina State.
"My office has already collaborated with the Honourable Commissioner's esteemed office" Hon. Bindawa said, "and we are actively working on ensuring the implementation of the 5% employment quota for People with disabilities in Katsina State and among others"
The visit to Hon. Commissioner of Education office underscores Hon. Bindawa's uncommon commitment to agitating for promoting educational access and Inclusion for PWDs in the state.
Strengthening Collaboration and Partnerships
In a groundbreaking efforts to strengthen the drive for Inclusion of PWDs in all aspects of the society within the width and breathe of Kastina state, Hon. Bindawa recognize the importance of engaging into working collaboration and partnerships with relevant public and private institutions in order raise more awareness about PWDs and Challenges they faced.
The latest of such initiatives is the January 3st, 2025 call on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Katsina State headquarters to map out areas of partnership and collaboration with the Katsina NDLEA management.
The purpose of the call on NDLEA office, Hon. Bindawa said "was to continue strengthen collaboration and partnerships with the agency while also advocating for the inclusion of Katsina State persons with disabilities (PWDs) in drug law enforcement initiatives" he emphasized that "the Katsina State government, under the leadership of Mallam Umar Dikko Radda, PhD, is committed to improving the welfare and well-being of persons with disabilities"
During the collaborative meeting with the NDLEA's State Commander and his official, Hon. Bindawa used the occasion to highlight key areas that require attention to ensure that PWDs are adequately included in drug prevention and enforcement efforts. These include:
1. Inclusion in Drug Awareness Programs: Ensuring that katsina State PWDs are actively involved in NDLEA’s drug education campaigns.
2. Training for NDLEA Officers: Sensitizing law enforcement personnel on effective engagement strategies with PWDs.
3. Accessible Rehabilitation Services: Advocating for drug rehabilitation programs to be designed in a way that accommodates PWDs.
4. Employment Opportunities: Encouraging NDLEA to create job opportunities for PWDs in drug prevention initiatives.
The Katsina NDLEA Commandant, Muhammad Aminu Abubakar after careful observation of the key partnership demands admitted that the recommendations highlighted by Hon. Bindawa align with the NDLEA’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and effective drug enforcement system, emphasizing that his agency clearly recognize PWDs potential contributions to Drugs preventions and Enforcement efforts.
He pledge to explore ways to create opportunities within NDLEA’s programs, assuring that the attention of the NDLEA's headquarters would be be fully drawn to ensure that qualified PWDs can participate meaningfully in Drugs Awareness, Community outreach, and Rehabilitation Support Initiatives, the NDLEA's commander also streesed the importance of equipping the NDLEA officers with the necessary Skills to engage effectively with PWDs.
"We will Incorporate Disability Inclusion Training into our Capacity-Building Programs" he said.
Hon. Bindawa also extended a partnership hands to a non-profit, Non-Governmental Organization known as "Gwagware Foundation" to further reinforce workable and mutually beneficial collaboration between the Office of the Special Assistant on Disablity Matters and like minded organizations across Katsina State.
During the meeting with leaders of the NGO, Hon. Bindawa expressed profound gratitude to the foundation for its unwavering Commitment to Supporting persons with Disabilities.
He also urged the Foundation to continue prioritizing inclusivity in all its initiatives, ensuring that Persons with Disabilities remain central to its mission.
In response, the chairman of the foundation, Hon. Yusuf Ali Musawa reaffirmed the Foundation’s Dedication to Empowering Persons with Disabilities. He shared details of the Foundation’s planned initiatives for the year and assured that individuals with Disabilities would actively participate in and benefit from all programs. He emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to leaving no one behind.
After sealing the official agreement for Partnership and collaboration between the two groups, an award of excellent was presented to Hon. Bindawa by the Gwagware Foundation in recognition of his exceptional contributions to promoting inclusivity and empowering vulnerable groups.
These significant initiatives undertaken by the office is Special Assistant to the Governor of Katsina State in Disability Matters, Hon. Bindawa underscores the commitment of the Katsina State Government and its partners to fostering inclusivity and advancing the Welfare of marginalized Groups in Society.
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