The Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Benue State chapter, has lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for signing the Disability Act into law, calling it a landmark moment for the state.
Speaking in Makurdi, the State Chairman of JONAPWD, Mr. Onah Adeyi, praised the Governor for initiating the executive bill and the State Assembly for its swift passage, describing the move as a strong signal of inclusivity and social justice.
He however urged Governor Alia to go further by establishing a Disability Commission, led by persons with disabilities, to oversee the law’s implementation.
Adeyi highlighted the resilience of the “over 800,000 persons with disabilities in Benue State” who will directly benefit, saying the new law gives them a stronger voice and places the state among the leaders of disability inclusion in Nigeria.
He assured the Governor that with over 500,000 registered PWD members, “by 2027, we will have the numbers to decide who governs us because our votes count.”
Other disability advocates, including Barr. Joseph Gbagyo of the Aza Gbagyo Foundation, echoed Adeyi’s sentiments, stressing that supporting PWDs should never be about pity but about recognising their contributions to society.
