By Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe
Published on 2nd December, 2025
Jalingo, Taraba State - The Special Assistant to Gov. Agbu Kefas on Community Security, Hon. Ishola Abraham has lauded the unprecedented giant strides recorded by the administration of His Excellency Gov. Agbu Kefas which the Governor achieved within a short spell of his stewardship in office and which culminated in rapid infrastructural development recorded so far in various sectors of the state economy.
Hon. Abraham made the commendation Tuesday in a telephone conversation with the Ability News Network correspondent as part of his gigantic efforts towards creating more awareness and enlightment about the Governor's people-oriented policies and Inclusive leadership credentials that distinguished him out as the best among the best Governors in the country who prioritized the full inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in all aspects of governmental policies and programmes.
The Governor's aide who was too excited to let the world know that Taraba State government is making strides in supporting persons with disabilities, recounted how Gov. Kefas has initiated several projects and bills to promote inclusivity and accessibility for PWDs in the state.
He stated, "the entire community of persons with disabilities in Taraba State are indeed blessed with such a caring, lovial, listening and ever focusing leader in person of His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas, a man who is sent by Almighty God to shade the tears of PWDs and other vulnerable groups in the state by putting smiles on their faces"
Commenting on the much awited potential establishment of Tarba State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the visibly amused governor's aide was full of Hope and expectation the government efforts to implement the project would eventually become a reality.
"We are deeply hopeful that sooner than later our state, Taraba State under our able leader His Excellency Gov Agbu Kefas will join Gombe and Yobe States as the states in the North East zone fully domesticating the disability law into operation. The positive side is everything on Oct 2024, the State House of Assembly had passed the bill through its second reading, advancing it toward assent. It’s now officially enacted. The law creates a Disability Commission to protect rights, promote inclusion in education, health, employment, and economic empowerment for all Tarabans with disabilities"
According to him, the bill's passages is a result of efforts to domesticate the National Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities ( Prohibition)Act, 2018, Which was signed into law by the former president Muhammadu Buhari.
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| Hon Ishola Abraham SA on Disability Affairs to Governor Agbu Kefas second from the left planked by some officials of Taraba state government and PWDs members |
The Act prohibits discrimination against PWDs and provides for their full integration into society. While good progress has been made, there is still need for continued advocacy and implementation to ensure the rights of PWDs are protected and promoted in Taraba State, the governor's aide noted.
Emphasizing the myriads of PWD-centred policies and programmes exceuted and implemented by the Governor Kefas led administration which make life more enjoyable and bearable to PWDs in Taraba State, the governor's aide commended the governor for championing Inclusive education and healthcare stating that adequate provisions are being made for sign language interpreters in hospital and distribution of large chunk of Braille books in avaiable special schools across the state.
"The administrations Free Education policy has provided significant relief for parents, guardians of students with disabilities, allowing them to redirect resources to other needs" he said.
On the economic empowerment, Hon. Abraham scored the governor high, acknowledging his immense contributions to strengthening economic growth of PWDs in the state which come up through several intiatives aimed at promoting economic inclusion, including affirmative action quotas in public service and entrepreneurship schemes.
Re-emphasizing his admiration and commitment to promoting Gov. Kefas people-centred policies anywhere, Hon. Abraham stated, "as an aide to the governor,I work closely with the governor's aides and policy makers in Taraba State to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for PWDs"
"This enable us to build strong relationships, which is very crucial, indeed I have been fortunate to have a supportive team"
He added, "through this working partnership that leave no one behind, we were able encourage PWDs athletes to actively participate in sports, improve security of life amid intense insecurity challenges rocking the country, ensuring safer access to public space and service for PWDs in the state"
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| Hon. Ishola Abraham from the left during one of his engagements as an SA to His Excellency Gov Agbu Kefas |
"These efforts demonstrate the governor's commitment to creating a More inclusive and support environment to pwds in Taraba State"
Taraba state is making progress in addressing the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDS).The state government has taken a significant step by passing a bill to establish the Taraba State persons living with disability commissione: this commissione aims to promote inclusivity, accessibility,and equal opportunities for pwds in education, healthcare, employment,and social life.
Major Challenges and Expectations:
Having borne all these commendations to the state government under the indefatigable guidance of His Excellency Gov Agbu Kefas, PWDs in Taraba State still expect more engagement from the authorities and other policy makers in the state in order to effectively address the lingering problem of limited resources which hinders implementation of initiatives and programs for PWDs, limited awareness and understanding of PWDs needs, insufficient data collection which make planning and monitoring progress difficult, lack of stakeholders engagement.
The need for enhanced accessibility in public buildings roads, and transportation systems to ensure PWDs can move freely and participate fully in the society is of paramount impotance. Other important priority areas that may facilitate the fuller inclusion and integration of PWDs in the mainstream society according to Hon. Abraham may include the initiation of more economic empowerment policies and opportunities such as: grants loan, and job placements, strengthening healthcare services for PWDs through provision of assistive devices and rehabilitation programs, support caregivers, massive awareness and sensitization programmes, adequate representation, prompt establishment of Disability Commission and other important measures can significantly improve the quality of life for PWDs in Taraba State.
A dedicated aide and an uncompromised loyalist and true admirer of his principal, Hon. Abraham remained defiently unpurturbed and admant to his unalloyed support to Gov. Kefas people-centred administration, reiterating his resolve to forever remain on the governor's side and service through thick and sand.
" As an aide, my role is to serve the governor, and if he is moving to the APC ,I will likely follow him.It is about supporting his vision and work, regardless of the party politics. The impact on my role? Guess we will see how things pan out,but I'm ready for whatever come from the governor" he said finally.
