With funding support from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, TAF Africa organized a town hall in Bayelsa State on Mainstreaming Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Governance Processes in partnership with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
In his goodwill message, the Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Hon. Gideon Ekeuwei said that the government is dedicated to creating an environment where their rights are upheld, and their voices are heard, and is committed to implementing policies that foster inclusivity, remove barriers, and provide equal opportunities for all.
In his words, “We consider it a strategic essential for the overall growth of our state, as well as a matter of social fairness, that persons with disabilities actively participate in governing processes.
“As the Secretary to the State Government, I assure you that the government of Bayelsa is dedicated to creating an environment where the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld, and their voices are heard. We are committed to implementing policies that foster inclusivity, remove barriers, and provide equal opportunities for all.
“I commend TAF Africa for their relentless efforts in advocating for disability inclusiveness and I express gratitude for organizing this Town Hall Meeting. It is platforms like the work towards a more inclusive and just society.”
He added that the theme of the meeting aligns with the state government's commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible government.
The CEO/Founder of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle commended the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri for appointing persons with disabilities as Special Advisers and Special Assistants. He also appealed to the Governor to prove himself as the number one inclusive governor by appointing a person with a disability as commissioner after the inauguration of his second term in office.
According to him, “Let me use this occasion to call on the Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri, that you are about to constitute a new government, thank you for giving us Special Advisers, but this time around we want a commissioner, not a commissioner for persons with disabilities, but a commissioner with disability. We have many persons with disabilities across board that can function in several ministries, use this occasion to prove yourself as the number one inclusive governor by appointing a person with disability as a commissioner.”
“I think this is the beginning of what might snowball into a national and continental agenda which is inclusive governance, getting the government to commit to creating the platform for participation of Persons Living with Disabilities in all strata of governance whether it is in legislative or executive or judiciary.
“It is an opportunity to bring together all the ministries, persons with disabilities, and Non-Governmental Organizations to discuss a template for inclusive governance. We created a pathway for that synergy and duty bearers to commit to what they will do to ensure that persons with disabilities are carried along.
The town hall had in attendance several permanent secretaries from relevant ministries in Bayelsa State, the Secretary to the state government, Leaders in the disability community, civil society organizations, various clusters of persons with disabilities, and organizations of persons with disabilities.
Townhall Meeting in Bayelsa State on Persons with Disabilities Mainstreaming in Governance Processes
More Posts
Call for Supply of Laptops and Office Chairs
TAF Africa, a leading disability inclusion organisation advancing the rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in governance, democratic processes, education, and economic empowerment, is inviting quotations from competent and reputable vendors for the supply of laptops and ergonomic office chairs. This procurement is being carried out under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SGDN) Programme, Component 5B, to equip project staff with the tools they need to deliver on programme objectives. Objective To procure durable, high-performance laptops and ergonomic office chairs for project staff in line with the operational requirements of the EU-SGDN Programme, Component 5B. Scope of Supply S/N Item Minimum Specification Quantity 1 Laptop Computers Intel Core i7 (11th Gen or higher), 16GB RAM or higher, 500GB SSD or higher, backlit keyboard, touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, integrated webcam, original Windows 11 Professional (or latest version) 4 Units 2 Office Chairs High-back ergonomic design, adjustable seat height, adjustable armrests, lumbar support, breathable mesh or premium upholstery, five-wheel base, 360° swivel, gas lift mechanism 6 Units All equipment must be brand-new, come with a minimum one-year manufacturer warranty, and be delivered fully packaged with warranty documentation. Who Can Apply Interested vendors should be able to provide: Certificate of Incorporation (CAC) Valid Tax Clearance Certificate Company Profile demonstrating relevant experience Evidence of at least three similar supply contracts Manufacturer’s Authorization (where applicable) Evidence of warranty support Quotation in Nigerian Naira (NGN), inclusive of taxes, transport, and delivery costs Delivery timeline Evaluation Criteria Submissions will be assessed on compliance with technical specifications, vendor experience, product quality, delivery schedule, warranty and after-sales support, cost competitiveness, and completeness of documentation. Delivery and Payment The successful vendor must complete delivery within 14 calendar days of contract award or issuance of a Purchase Order. Payment will be made after successful delivery, inspection, acceptance of items, and submission of all required documentation. How to Submit Send the following by email: Financial quotation Pictures of items Years of warranty Required supporting documents Email subject line: “Supply of Laptops and Office Chairs” Send to: procurements@tafafrica.co Submission deadline: 12th August 2026 General Conditions TAF Africa reserves the right to accept or reject any quotation without assigning a reason. Submission of a quotation does not constitute a commitment to award a contract. Only shortlisted vendors will be contacted for further clarification or negotiation. All supplied equipment must be genuine, brand new, and free from defects.
TAF Africa Trains 150 PWD Observers for #OsunDecides2026 Governorship Election
TAF Africa, under the Able2Vote initiative, has completed a two-day training for 150 Persons with Disabilities (PWD) as Election Observers ahead of the Osun State Governorship Election, supported by the EU-SDGN Programme. Osogbo, Osun State — 23rd–24th July 2026 Ahead of the highly anticipated #OsunDecides2026 Governorship Election, TAF Africa has equipped 150 Persons with Disabilities across Osun State with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to serve as credible, independent election observers. The two-day Election Observers Training took place in Osogbo under TAF Africa’s Able2Vote initiative and the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme. Building Skilled, Confident Observers The training opened with registration and an official welcome session, where George Anwayi, Assistant Programme Manager at TAF Africa, introduced participants to the workshop’s purpose and objectives. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Andrew Adaji, Programme Manager at TAF Africa, providing an overview of TAF Africa’s Election Inclusion Strategy under the EU-SDGN Programme — setting the stage for why PWD-led observation matters for a truly representative democratic process. Participants then moved into practical, skills-focused sessions covering: The Role of Election Observers — expected conduct, security tips, and personal safety guidance for observers on election day, led by George Anwayi. Using the Observers’ Checklist — practical guidance on applying the checklist effectively to ensure accurate and credible reporting. The TAF Disability Hub App — a hands-on session led by Kohol Iornav, IT Officer at TAF Africa, walking participants through the app’s use for observation and reporting, including a live demonstration of uploading reports and eyewitness entries directly from the field. The day’s learning was reinforced through group discussions and role play, giving observers the chance to practice real election-day scenarios before the training closed with a reflection session and closing remarks from Dr. Andrew Adaji. Why This Training Matters Election observation is only as credible as the people carrying it out — and only as inclusive as the voices it represents. By training 150 Persons with Disabilities as official observers, TAF Africa is ensuring that the accessibility and inclusiveness of the Osun State Governorship Election is monitored by people who understand disability inclusion firsthand. Armed with the TAF Disability Hub App, these observers will be able to document real-time, credible reports and eyewitness accounts directly from polling locations across the state. This effort reflects TAF Africa’s continued commitment to disability inclusion in governance and electoral processes — ensuring that Inclusive Democracy is not just a slogan, but a lived reality for Osun State voters. Partnership and Support This training was delivered under TAF Africa’s Able2Vote initiative, with support from the European Union in Nigeria through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme.
Share:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn