By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Abubakar Y Suleiman has stressed that passage of diversity, equity and inclusion(DEI) bill to promote participation and inclusion by the various Houses of Assembly in the country will mark a new era of governance in the various States.
The Speaker was during the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) co-creation Workshop on State equity bill for participation and inclusion.
Abubakar Suleiman stated that the Bill is the one that prioritizes justice, fairness, and inclusion stating, “Let us seize this moment to rewrite the narrative and build a state where every individual, regardless of background or status, is empowered to contribute to our collective progress.”
He stressed that, “As Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring that this bill is not just passed, but effectively implemented to improve the lives of our people.”
According to him, “Our gathering today is not just another policy discussion; it is a deliberate call to action—a bold step towards institutionalizing justice, fairness, and equal opportunities in our various states and in Nigeria on the whole through a well-thought-out and home-grown legislative framework.”
He stressed that,”This bill, when passed into law, will serve as the bedrock for a more inclusive and just society.The Imperative of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) The concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just modern governance ideals; they are fundamental principles that shape prosperous and harmonious societies.”
He added that,”Diversity ensures that all voices and perspectives are recognized and valued. Equity guarantees that opportunities are fair and accessible to all, especially to marginalized groups. Inclusion ensures that everyone, irrespective of differences, has an equal stake in decision-making and development processes.”
The Bauchi Speaker added that, “Although Nigeria, has a rich tapestry of ethnic groups with a unique blend of traditions and cultures, systemic discrimination, exclusion, and marginalization is still faced by many individuals and communities.”
According to him, “Women are underrepresented and have minimal political representation. PWDs (Persons with Disability) face barriers public infrastructure, employment, and education. Marginalized youth and other groups have barriers for economic empowerment, quality education, and job opportunities.”
“These issues are not only social problems, but also developmental and governance problems requiring a legislative solution. Any state that excludes citizens from taking part in governance, education, or economic activities is a state that stifles its own potential for development and prosperity,” he added.
On Legislative approach to inclusion, he stated that the Equity Bill is intended to ensure fairness, equity, and representation in all levels of governance and social order explaining that,”This proposed bill will create a DEI Commission (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) that will focus on enforcing policies and frameworks meant to advance inclusion in all spheres.”
According to him, “The objectives that this bill seeks to accomplish are The DEI Commission, A specific body set up to monitor, evaluate, and enforce policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the public and private sectors.”
Also, Equal Opportunity, restricting marginalized persons from accessing education, jobs, healthcare, and leadership is prohibited, Anti-Discrimination aa Strong legal punishment will be put in place for all discrimination against gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status.
There is also inclusiveness as Policies that allow and enhance the active participation of women, persons with disability, and the youths in governance, leadership, and decision making are provided and encouraged.
Economic Empowerment of Social and economic policies that seek the active participation of the most vulnerable groups into the economy are made.
Abubakar Suleiman stressed that, “The bill is not just about equity, but it attempts to maximize the possible potential of all citizens by making sure that every citizen is included in the development process.”
According to him, “The Role of the State House of Assembly is that, as Legislators, we owe it to the general populace to respect and protect human rights, hence the need to formulate laws that are just, fair, and humane.”
He added that, “The State House of Assembly is prepared to work with every interested party toward drafting a bill that meets the needs and aspirations of the people.”
According to him, “We know that sustainability means policies have to be domestic, developed from within the various states. That’s why this workshop is essential. It creates an opportunity for dialogue, education, and crafting a bill that is realistic and enforceable.”
The House of Assembly will ensure that the preparation of the bill is participatory, incorporating all relevant stakeholders, Public hearings and stakeholder meetings are convened so that the provisions of the bill can be enhanced and perfected and the necessary resources and enforcement strategies are made available to effect compliance when the bill is passed into law.
In his call to action and a shared responsibility, he stated that, no single entity, especially the government, can solely carry the burden of enacting and enforcing the State Equity Bill. We all have a part to play.
“In particular, my fellow members of the House of Assembly, I ask you to view this bill as not just a legal instrument, but a stepping stone toward a better society.
Let us urge for its swift acceptance and execution,” he aplealed.
To civil society organizations, he stated that, “your participation in policy making, advocacy work, research, and bottom-up activism is very important. Let us work together to facilitate acceptance from the general public and guarantee its effective utilization.”
“To development partners, your relevance to the topic is your experience and support in the embedding of best practices towards equity and inclusion in Nigeria. To the citizens this bill is for you. I encourage you to engage, offer feedback, and actively integrate yourself in the creation of a society where everyone is given a fair shot at success,” he added.
“Let me state this unequivocally: this is not merely legislative action, it is a social contract between the state and citizenry. Together, we can create States where diversity is celebrated, equity is the norm, and inclusion is a standard, not an exception,” he concluded.
