From Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
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The Osun State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on the State Disability Protection Bill as part of the process of enacting a law for persons living with disabilities.
The state legislators had given consideration for the bill in their effort to ensure that persons with disabilities are protected in the state.
The bill, Osun State Disability Protection Bill 2023, is being sponsored by a member representing Obokun state constituency, Adewumi Adeyemi.
Stakeholders at the gathering commended the lawmakers for making a move to enact a law that would protect people with disabilities in the state, saying the bill will safeguard the rights of the persons living with disabilities among other benefits when passed into law.
Speaking at the public hearing, the Deputy Speaker, Akinyode Oyewusi emphasized the need for the state to have a law that protects persons living with a disability, noting that they are equally a member of the society and should be protected.
Oyewusi who recalled that the National Assembly enacted an act “Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act” in 2018, said that domesticating it in the state will go a long way to guarantee the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities in in the state.
While commending his colleague who is the sponsor of the bill, the deputy speaker also lauded the executives of the state chapter of the association of Persons Living with Disabilities, Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Society, and other development partners who have been championing the course of having legislation on disability protection in Osun State in the past years.
Different presentations were made by the royal fathers, the representative of the association of persons with disabilities, the Ministry of Youths and Special Needs, the Rotary Club of Agbale, Ede, and other stakeholders that were present, which will be considered by the House during the committee of whole session in the next phase of the bill.
