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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia First Lady and Founder, Vicar Hope Foundation, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has commended the State House of Assembly for passing the Disability Law.
Mrs Ikpeazu said having passed the Law, the House of Assembly was working for the people and having the best interest of Abians at heart.
In a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Chika Ojiegbe, Mrs Ikpeazu commended the sponsor of the bill, Hon Paul Taribo, Mr David Anyaele of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, people living with disability in Abia and several stakeholders for their roles in supporting the passage of the bill.
“Mrs Ikpeazu has shown deep passion towards the passage of the Law. Recall she was at the House of Assembly mid last year to speak to Honourable members at Plenary on the need to pass the law. It is not surprising that the House passed the law with despatch.
“They had similarly passed another human rights bill promoted by Mrs Ikpeazu, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, with the same sense of commitment. Mrs Ikpeazu sees the House as partners in progress and is grateful to them for their depth of commitment and I can assure you that the Governor will sign the bill as soon as the clean copy is transmitted to him”, the statement added.
“The VAPP law previously law passed by the House and signed into law by Governor Ikpeazu has yielded great positive results for Abia State. Its operation in the state has led the United Kingdom Government to rate Abia State amongst the top three states in the country where human right issues are given speedy and efficient attention.
“I am doubly sure that the Disability Law will also bring about huge dividends for Abians especially our family members who have disabilities. They will get better treatment, access to improved welfare and greater inclusiveness in the polity.
“Before now Mrs, Ikpeazu has been giving them a sense of belonging; she has distributed over 400 mobility aids to people with disabilities and fitted another 150 amputees with artificial limbs. She is a major sponsor of disability sports. The concept of the annual Nkechi Ikpeazu Parabadminton National Competition is to give them a platform to excel like the able bodied.”
Mrs Ikpeazu revealed of another bill before the House, the Obnoxious Widowhood Practices Prohibition Bill, which she said she is promoting, and expert her believe the House will soon pass it into law too.
“This would be timely especially against the backdrop of recent incidence that saw a widow serially abused by her community in Abia.”
Meanwhile, Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities has congratulated Mrs Ikpeazu and commended the House of Assembly for the passage of the Disability Bill.
In a statement, Mr Anyaele said the passage of the bill was a demonstration by the house that all lives are precious, in particular the lives of Abians with disabilities
“We thank Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, wife of the Governor of Abia State for her solidarity with the disability community during this campaign for the passage of the bill.
“Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu addressed the House of Assembly on the July 15, 2021 on the need to pass the Disability Bill and today the house has done the needful,” he said.
Anyaele also appreciated the disability community in the state for the resilience, consistency and push in advocating and lobbying for the passage of the bill.
