The Senate on Wednesday July 13, 2016 passed for its third and final reading the ‘Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill (2016) (SB 22).’
Commenting on the development through his social media pages, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki stated that the bill is highly important as it seeks to curb all forms of abuse against Nigerians with disabilities.
Saraki also stated that the bill would promote the respect of the rights of all Nigerians with disabilities.
“Many of you will remember that earlier this year, when I met with the leaders of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities,” Saraki said, “I promised that the Senate would work on examining ways to strengthen our laws for people with disabilities.”
Saraki, a medical doctor by profession, emphasised that with the Senate’s passage of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, he was hopeful that the National Assembly would finally break the jinx by getting the bill passed in both Houses and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, as similar bills seeking to protect the rights of people with disabilities failed to get signed into law during the 6th (2007 to 2011) and 7th (2011 to 2015) Assemblies.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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