A leading disability rights advocacy organization known as Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI) and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) have asked Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia to quickly assent to the Benue State Disability Rights Bill passed by the State Assembly.
The disability community is excited that their long clamored inclusivity and equity has finally reached a historic milestone sequel to the legislative action delivered recently by the State legislature.
It will be recalled that Governor Alia had in 2024, transmitted the executive bill to the House of Assembly for legislative action and subsequently, the legislature had also on August 1, 2025, passed the bill.
Consequently, HAPI and JONAPWD have posited that by the activation of the bill, it will enforce rights framework at the state level and avert discrimination of people with disabilities, as well as prevent poor service delivery and institutional neglect.
Addressing a joint press conference in Makurdi, the Executive Director of HAPI, Aver Akighir described the passage of the bill as a defining moment and said it was left to ensure its implementation, awareness, accessibility and budgetary provision.
According to her, if the bill is finally assented, “it will demonstrate political will and guarantee legal backing for the rights, inclusion, social protection of over 15% Benue population with disabilities.”
“It will enable action in critical areas including education, healthcare employment, political participation and access to justice.”
Speaking on the work ahead, the HAPI ED stated that signing the bill into law must be followed by a “robust implementation through the establishment of a Disability Commission with adequate funding, budgetary allocations, adoption of civil service recruitment of 5% employment quota.”
Also, Akighir noted that political appointments of persons with disabilities into key decision-making positions, public awareness campaigns to combat stigma and promote inclusion, accessibility of government buildings such as schools, hospitals and transport systems, and to recognize JONAPWD as the legitimate umbrella body for PLWDs in the state, would be achieved, only when the bill is assented.
She however, applauded the contributions of strategic partners, Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF), traditional rulers, development organizations, CSOs, the media, OPDs, BICD, among others.
Personal Assistant to the governor on people with disabilities and equal opportunities, Mr. Bem Anshe, in his remarks assured that Governor Alia will assent to the bill quickly and commended both the three arms of government for ensuring the success of the bill.
