Gombe Disability Commission Board Member Lauds Gov. Yahaya's Commitment to Empowering PWDs in Gombe State

 

By Yusuf Mohammad Lawan, 16th April, 2025

A Board Member in the recently established 'Gombe State Disability Commission' by name  Muhammad Salisu Abubakar has praised the Governor of the state His Excellency Alh. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his uncommon commitment to inclusive governance and prioritizing inclusion of PWDs in the state government activities. 

The Board Member in a statement he shared on his social media handle described Gov. Yahaya as the shining star and herbinger of Hope for PWDs in the state.

Abubakar wrote, "Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has become a shining light and an unforgettable leader to the community of persons with disabilities in Gombe State. His care, support, and actions have brought real change and lasting hope to our lives"

"One of the most important things he did for us was the establishment of the Gombe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities" 

"This Commission is not just another government office it is a powerful tool for change. Under his leadership, it has become one of the most active and exceptional commissions in the entire country" he noted

While commenting the Governor's kind gestures towards the PWDs in the state, Mr. Abubakar expressed optimism the commission will live to its expectations. 

He wrote: "it's not about personal, it's about real fact. The work of the Commission will speak for itself from promoting our rights and dignity to creating real opportunities for education, healthcare, and employment"

Muhammad Salisu Abubakar taken oath of office during his swearing in as Board Member, Gombe State Disability Commission recently

"Through Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s vision, the Commission now ensures that persons with disabilities are not left behind. His administration has worked hard to remove barriers and open doors for inclusion and participation"

The visibly amused Board Member also threw applause to World Bank for their supportive role to PWDs in Gombe State.

"We are also proud and thankful for the technical support from the World Bank, which has helped strengthen the Commission even more. This support has improved our planning, training, and ability to reach persons with disabilities across the state. With this kind of partnership, the Commission continues to grow stronger and more effective"

He added, "Governor Inuwa Yahaya didn’t just create the Commission he made it a model for others to follow. His genuine love for people with disabilities, his actions, and the way he includes us in decision-making have made him a true hero"

"Because of all this, we will never forget him. He has shown that persons with disabilities matter, and with his leadership, Gombe State has become a place of hope, equality and inclusion" 

CLIMATE CHANGE: SAVWIN Collaborates with RUWASA to promote Water Sanitation and Accessibility to Women and Girls with Disabilities in Borno

 

by Yusuf Mohammebd Lawan, Gombe

16th April, 2025

Driven by renewed passion and commitment to promoting water sanitation and accessibility among persons with disabilities in Borno State, Sound Abilities for Vulnerable Women Initiative (SAVWIN), a foremost women- led  Non-Governmental Organization that focuses on educating and empowering disabled women, girls and children, as well as catering to the aged (elderly) through advocacy, training and action, recently paid an advocacy visit to the headquarters of  Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) Borno State chapter to seek for an extended synergy with the RUWASA management to promote water sanitation and accessibility to PWDs -  specifically women and girls with disabilities and other vulnerable  groups in Borno State.

The advocacy, Ability News Network reports, underscores the SAVWIN's gagatuan efforts and passion towards removing barriers that limit the full participation of women, girls and children with disabilities in their immediate communities and also  advocating for disability-inclusive climate change disaster management intervention in Borno State where the voices of women and girls with disabilities would be assimilated. 

Earlier speaking during the advocacy, the SAVWIN's Executive Director, Ms.Miyausa Wayuta profoundly appreciated the General Manager of RUWASA Borno State chapter Engr. Dr. Mohammed Musa Aliyu, for the warm, gracious  reception accorded to her team and the opportunity given to her to engage freely with RUWASA which, is a vital institution dedicated to ensuring rural water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Borno State.

SAVWIN's E D Ms. Wayuta delivering her speech the advocacy while the RUWASA's GM Mr. Mohammed Musa Aliyu listen with rapt attention

"Water is life" noted the SAVWIN's top notch Director, "however, for many women with disabilities, accessing clean water and sanitation remains a daily struggle due to physical barriers, distance, and social exclusion" she lamented. 

She adds; "as we address climate-induced water challenges, including droughts and flooding. We must ensure that no woman with disability is left behind in the provision of safe and accessible water"

The  SAVWIN's  advocacy  is guided by key global national commitments including the following; Convention on the Right of the Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Article 6, which recognizes the unique  challenges faced by women  with disabilities  and Article 11, which mandates the protection and safety of persons with disabilities  in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, the United Nations sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 13 (Climate action), which emphasize inclusive participation and urgent action on climate change, as well as the Nigeria climate change Act, which seeks to strengthen the country’s response to climate-related challenges.

The project according to Ms. Wayuta,  seeks to bridge the gaps in disaster response and ensure that women with disabilities are not just beneficiaries but active contributors to climate change policies and   interventions.

She also urged RUWASA policy makers and stakeholders to join SAVWIN in making disability inclusion a priority in WASH programs, together they can build a Borno State where every woman regardless of ability has access to safe and clean water.

While recognizing the RUWASA’s pivotal role in ensuring water security and sanitation across Borno State, and RUWASA's leading role in the   water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), programs,  SAVWIN seeks collaboration in the following areas: ensuring access to safe water for women with disabilities before and during climate disaster in Borno State especially those who lives in the slum areas have access to clean water, promoting inclusive sanitation and hygiene facilities in Borno State where ramps, extended handrails, taps are easier to open by the women with disabilities, accessible passage where there are wash facilities when providing WASH services , encouraging participation of persons with disabilities  in all decision making processes, designing and building WASH facilities according to the principles of universal design, ensuring the  construction of accessible water and sanitation facilities in rural and conflict affected communities, integrating the climate Action Network for women with Disabilities in RUWAS’s climate-resilient water management programs as well as developing joint programs to educate water and sanitation service providers on the needs of women with disabilities among others. 

Responding, the General Manager of RUWASA, Mr. Mohammed Musa Aliyu, appreciated the SAVWIN contingents for coming to identify with the Agency, he noted that this is the first time an organization such as this is visiting the agency, he lauded the organization for coming up with such project to Borno State, he assured the team that the agency's door is  open any time he is called upon he will answer.

 The RUWASA's General Manager further informed his visitors that most of the things the Executive Director mentioned he noted them and will act accordingly and see how he can incorporate some into the agency's work plan.

He adds: "the agency is already implementing some project that includes women with disability, some of these are; Livelihood, education, health, project management, training of women into fish farming, support schools including girls with disabilities, support widows with finger leans, these are some of the project the agency has undertaking under his leadership and more are coming"

While wishing the team successful outing,  the General Manager assured the team of his agency's continued support to achieve the aim of the project, stressing that whenever SAVWIN is organizing any program and needs him to attend his doors are always opened.

Strengthening Inclusion for PWDs: SSAP Abba Isa Calls for Greater Shift of Focus to Rural Communities

by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan,Gombe

15th May, 2025

Abuja, FCT- Nigeria. The Senior Special Assistant to the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to prioritize pushing for the emanicipation  and inclusion of PWDs communities living in the rural and grassroots areas of the country in order to facilitate their Fuller  integration into all aspects of public life.

 

The Senior Presidential aide made the calls in a  keynote address he delivered through his  Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Lanre Oloyede at the official launch of the Local Government Disability Framework, led by Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth With Disabilities (HIFWYD), with vital support from the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) in Abuja.

Hon. Abba while speaking during the event urgued for stricter shift of disability Inclusion  focus from urban centers to the grassroots areas. 

 "I emphasized the urgent need to take disability inclusion beyond Nigeria’s cities into the rural communities and local government areas where most Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) live and are often marginalized"

Cross section of PWDs participants 

 "Many PWDs live in underserved communities where basic services like education, healthcare, and political inclusion are lacking" he lamented.

While acknowledging the absymal dearth of disability inclusive action in the rural Communities, the Senior Presidential aide used the occasion to express his deeper appreciation to the HIFWYD management for  demonstrating gunuine leadership in the drive for  championing Inclusion for the PWDs in Nigeria.

"I deeply commend  the HIFWYD for their bold leadership, resilience, and vision"

 "Their focus on grassroots governance is not just innovative it's obsolutely essential" he admitted. 

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening collaboration between the SSAP's office and the HIFWYD's to Foster workable Inclusion for PWDs, the Senior Presidential aide noted "this launch, under the Partnership for Disability Inclusive Local Governance (PADILG) project, marks a significant step forward"

According to him, "this initiative aligns with both the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda, I have been specifically mandated to work closely with state and local governments to institutionalize disability-friendly policies"

Hon. Abba further reaffirm the commitment of president Tinubu's leadership towards making life better for persons with disabilities in the country. He said "this administration is committed to upholding your dignity, rights, and potential. We are not leaving inclusion to chance, we are making it part of the system"

"My office", he continued,  "is ready and open to work with HIFWYD and others to ensure this framework doesn’t just sit on a shelf, it must drive real, visible change from Abuja to Ayetoro, Gwoza, Yunusari, Gwagwalada, and Okitipupa"

He added "i consider this framework’s launch a milestone a signal that local governments must now plan, budget, and deliver with the needs of PWDs in mind. May Allah SWA see us through. Amen"