The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) have called on the Ogun State Government to fully implement the state’s Disability Law, nearly nine years after it was signed into law.

The groups made the demand on Wednesday during a joint press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Hall, Iwe Iroyin House, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

They urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide the necessary political direction to conclude the implementation process before the expiration of his tenure in eight months.

The Ogun State Disability Law was signed by the former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on December 27, 2017.

However, the disability groups said the law had yet to be fully operationalised, leaving persons with disabilities waiting for the legal framework to translate into functioning institutions, enforceable protections and accessible public systems.

The National President of SCIAN, Abdulwahab Matepo, and the Ogun State Chairman of JONAPWD, Ayo Awobona, made the call during the briefing.

The organisations stressed that a law enacted to protect the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities should not remain only on paper but must be translated into practical measures that improve the lives of affected citizens.

“A law passed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities must not remain a law on paper. It must become a law in action,” the groups said.

According to them, the disability community had engaged the state government and other stakeholders through meetings, consultations, letters, courtesy visits and media advocacy since 2025 in an effort to address the challenges surrounding the implementation of the law.

They, however, said the engagements had not produced the desired result.

The groups clarified that their campaign was not aimed at confronting the state government but at ensuring that previous commitments were translated into concrete action.

They also warned that discussions around possible amendments to the law should not be allowed to indefinitely delay its implementation.

The organisations called for the existing law to be operationalised in accordance with applicable legal procedures while any necessary amendments are pursued through the appropriate legislative process.

According to them, both processes can take place simultaneously, allowing the government and the disability community to address existing implementation gaps while considering improvements to the legal framework.

The groups said the failure to fully implement the law had practical consequences for persons with disabilities across Ogun State.

They identified education, healthcare, transportation, employment, economic participation and political engagement among the areas affected by the lack of effective implementation.

They also called for public institutions to become more accessible and for mechanisms to be established through which the rights of persons with disabilities can be protected and government obligations monitored.

The organisations cited a World Health Organisation estimate that about 16 per cent of the global population experiences significant disability.

They also referred to the 2025 JONAPWD “Assumptive Data of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria”, which estimated that 1,032,221 persons were living with disabilities in Ogun State.

The figure, according to the organisations, was based on a 15 per cent benchmark applied to the National Population Commission’s 2025 population projection.

Matepo said the disability community regarded government as an important partner in achieving greater inclusion and was prepared to work constructively with the state administration.

“JONAPWD and SCIAN recognise government as an essential partner in achieving disability inclusion. We are therefore not presenting ourselves as opponents of government.

“We are presenting ourselves as partners seeking accountability and implementation,” he said.

He added that the organisations remained willing to provide technical input, participate in consultations, review proposed amendments, mobilise the disability community and work with the government.

“But partnership must produce results,” Matepo said.

He listed several steps already taken by the disability community, including writing letters, attending meetings, making courtesy visits, engaging legal experts and government officials, conducting public awareness activities and participating in consultations.

“We have continued to pursue dialogue. The next step should now be action,” he said.

Matepo specifically appealed to Governor Abiodun to intervene and ensure that the implementation process was concluded before the end of his administration.

“We respectfully call on His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, to provide the necessary political direction to ensure that the process of implementing the Ogun State Disability Law is concluded before the expiration of his term in office,” he said.

He disclosed that JONAPWD had already formally appealed to the governor to intervene and direct the relevant authorities to conclude the necessary processes and commence implementation.

“We therefore ask that this matter receive the necessary attention at the highest level of the state government,” Matepo added.

The organisations maintained that effective implementation of the Disability Law would strengthen protections for persons with disabilities and provide a clearer framework for ensuring their participation in social, economic and political activities across Ogun State.

The Kaduna State Government says its free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered mass transit scheme has continued to reduce the burden of transportation costs on residents, with the initiative now in its 15th month.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmad Mayaki, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday while reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s renewed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.

Mayaki said Kaduna State adopted the CNG transportation initiative ahead of the latest Federal Government intervention, noting that the state commenced its free bus service on July 7, 2025, following the inauguration of 100 CNG-powered buses in the state.

The commissioner said Kaduna remained the only state in Nigeria offering completely free CNG-powered mass transit services, while other states had introduced various levels of fare subsidies.

“Kaduna is the only state offering free services in the whole of Nigeria.

Other states offer different forms of subsidised costs; some offer 50 per cent, while others offer certain percentages.

“Even the FCT, where the Federal Government is partnering with the NURTW, is not offering it free. Kaduna is the only state providing free services to students, civil servants, traders, artisans and the entire citizens of the state,” he said.

According to him, the scheme currently operates across eight routes with 100 CNG buses and approximately 200 bus stops.

Mayaki said the initiative had significantly reduced the amount residents spend on transportation, particularly civil servants, students, traders and artisans.

“Transportation takes a chunk of people’s income. Taking that off their shoulders is reducing the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.

“Instead of spending the money on transport, they have more money for their families, feeding and the education of their children.

It has significantly improved the productivity of our civil servants because they can save between 40 and 50 per cent of their salaries that would ordinarily have gone into transportation,” the commissioner stated.

He also linked the scheme to improved school enrolment and retention, saying transportation costs had previously contributed to some students missing classes or dropping out of school.

“Some students drop out or miss some days of school because of the cost of transportation. But with this transport scheme, it has improved school enrolment and retention,” Mayaki said.

The commissioner further said the free transportation programme had improved residents’ access to healthcare, particularly for women who needed to visit hospitals.

He added that reduced transportation expenses had eased financial pressure on households by leaving families with more disposable income.

Mayaki also claimed that the scheme had contributed to reducing domestic tensions in some households, attributing this to the additional income families could retain after transport expenses were removed.

“Funny enough, somebody said it has helped in the reduction of divorce and broken homes because men now have more money to take care of their families.

“Instead of spending the money on transport, they have more money for the upkeep of their families and to save for the education of their children,” he said.

The commissioner also highlighted the environmental benefits of the programme, saying the transition from conventional fuel-powered buses to CNG had helped reduce carbon emissions in the state.

3.2 million passengers carried in one year
The development comes after President Tinubu disclosed on September 19, 2026, that the 100 CNG-powered buses operating on major routes in Kaduna had carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year.

Tinubu said the buses had saved commuters more than N3.5 billion in transportation costs during the period.

The President cited Kaduna’s experience while highlighting the potential impact of the renewed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.

He had earlier, after a meeting with the 36 state governors on August 27, 2026, announced the establishment of an implementation committee for the programme under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The initiative is aimed at achieving measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1, 2026, with states expected to work with transport unions and commercial operators to expand CNG-powered transportation.

Tinubu specifically referenced Kaduna as an example of how cheaper energy and subsidised public transportation could help reduce the burden on commuters.

“In Kaduna, 100 CNG-powered buses are providing free transportation on major routes across the State.

In their first year of operation, the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers, saving commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transport costs,” the President stated.

The President inaugurated the 100 CNG buses in Kaduna on June 19, 2025, alongside other projects in the state.

Free service to continue indefinitely
Mayaki said the Kaduna State Government had directed that the free transportation service should continue indefinitely.

“The government has directed that these free services should continue indefinitely.

There is no window and there is no stopping; it is indefinite,” he said.

He added that the state government was currently compiling and analysing data to determine the broader impact of the initiative since its commencement.

“We are concluding the data and analysing it. We are going to make it public on how we have done in the last 15 months.

“The President just acknowledged what we have done in 12 months. Now we are in the 15th month,” Mayaki said.

The Kaduna government’s programme is therefore expected to remain a key component of the state’s efforts to cushion residents from rising transportation costs, while the Federal Government moves to expand affordable CNG-powered mass transit across the country.

The Osun State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of a bill seeking to establish a Park Management System to regulate the operations of motor parks and garages across the state.

The proposed Osun State Park Management System Bill was presented during Monday’s plenary by the Chairman of the House Committee on Works and Transport, Abiola Waheed, who is also the sponsor of the private member’s bill.

Waheed said the proposed legislation was designed to create a structured management system for motor parks while improving safety, orderliness and accountability in their operations.

According to him, the bill would also regulate revenue collection from motor parks and help the state government block leakages in its internally generated revenue.

“The bill would regulate revenue collection and block leakages in the state’s internally generated revenue.

It will also prohibit thuggery and other violent activities in motor parks across the state if passed into law,” Waheed said.

He added that the proposed system would facilitate the digitalisation of ticketing in motor parks, thereby improving transparency in revenue collection and reducing irregularities associated with manual processes.

During the debate, lawmakers expressed support for the objectives of the bill, saying the proposed management framework could strengthen the state’s revenue base and address leakages in internally generated revenue.

The lawmakers also said the legislation would promote accountability in the management of motor parks while enhancing the safety of passengers, drivers and other road users.

They noted that a properly regulated park management system could help protect transport operators and passengers from extortion, while reducing activities capable of causing violence and disorder within motor parks.

The Speaker of the House, Adewale Egbedun, said the proposed legislation would provide several benefits to the state if passed.

“With all these submissions, a series of benefits will be derived from the passage of the bill,” Egbedun said.

Following the debate, the Osun State Park Management System Bill scaled its second reading during Monday’s plenary.

The legislative development comes against the backdrop of recent disputes and violence linked to the control and leadership of motor parks in the state.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier directed the immediate vacation of motor parks by warring groups and announced plans to reintroduce the Park Management System as part of efforts to restore order and prevent further violence.

The governor issued the directive while responding to the killing of the Ajagungbade Emir, which was allegedly linked to a tussle over the leadership and control of a motor park.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke directed the Commissioner of Police in Osun State to immediately arrest those allegedly involved in the killing and ensure that anyone found responsible was brought to justice.

“The governor charged the Commissioner of Police to act immediately to arrest all those involved. Law and order must be maintained.

There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book,” the statement said.

Adeleke also directed security agencies to restore normalcy in the affected motor parks and ensure the maintenance of law and order across the state.

“We call on members of the public to remain calm. We will ensure restoration of peace in all the affected parks and areas. The security agencies are under instruction to ensure the sustainability of peace at all cost,” he said.

Beyond the police investigation into the incident, the governor ordered the immediate establishment of a Park Management System as part of measures to address disputes and restore discipline in motor parks and garages across Osun.

According to the statement, Adeleke said he would issue an Executive Order to formally establish the new management structure.

“We are reintroducing the Park Management System. I will soon issue an executive order to give effect to the new management system to manage parks and garages across the state,” the governor noted.

The directive requires warring groups to vacate affected motor parks while security agencies work to restore calm and prevent further clashes.

The state government said the reintroduction of the Park Management System was aimed at restoring discipline and orderliness in motor parks, particularly amid disputes over the control and leadership of the facilities.

With the bill now before the Osun State House of Assembly, the proposed Park Management System is moving beyond an executive directive towards a legislative framework.

If eventually passed and assented to, the legislation could provide a statutory basis for the management of motor parks and garages, define the responsibilities of relevant authorities and establish a framework for regulating activities at the facilities.

The bill also places revenue collection, digital ticketing, safety, accountability and the prevention of violence at the centre of the proposed management structur.