The Senate on Wednesday, 13th July 2016 passes the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, 2016. The Bill is sponsored by Sen. Francis Alimikhena (APC:Edo) and was presented for first and second reading in October and December, 2015 respectively.
The Bill seeks to provide social protection to persons with disabilities and provide safeguards against any discrimination that they may suffer from. It also establishes a National Commission that will ensure that their right to education, healthcare and other social and economic rights contained in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) are attained.
Prior to its passage, the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki (APC:Kwara) and Sen. Obinna Egba (PDP:Enugu)noted that the Bill failed to secure Presidential Assent after its passage in the 6th and 7th Assembly . The Senate President also added that he hoped that the Bill would be expeditiously assented to by the current administration.
A similar Bill titled Nigerian with Disability Bill, 2016 has been passed by the House of Representatives. Both houses would harmonise the Bills before it is sent to the President for assent.
