Stakeholders at the public hearing on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission Bill have unanimously supported the bill, submitting that it will help promote equitable representation, strengthen social justice and prohibit discrimination against vulnerable groups across all sectors.

The stakeholders including representatives of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Yinka Folarin, Joint National Association of People Living with Disabilities, Osindele Motunrayo, Ogun State Disability Law Advocacy Group, Abdul- Wahab Mateko, League of Imams and Alfas, Dr. Rabiu Kusimo, Spinal Cord Injury Association, Ayodele Awobona, Women Advocate, Research and Documentation Centre, Emmanuella Azu, Justice Development and Peace Commission and Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, Ewajesu Fasina in their presentations noted that it would help institutionalise fair practices and expand protection mechanisms for all vulnerable individuals and communities.

They called for proactive engagements between the executive and legislative arms to ensure early assent of the State Governor to the bill; while recommending that the global DEI obligations referenced in the bill be clearly stated.

They commended the Assembly for demonstrating strong leadership in advancing human rights; while calling for inclusion of accessibility measures such as ramps, railings and mobility support structures in public infrastructure for the people living with disabilities.

Earlier while declaring the stakeholders forum open, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, said that the Assembly introduced the bill to promote public orientation, equity and the inclusion of vulnerable groups for peaceful coexistence across communities; assuring that the Legislature remained responsive to the concerns of the people and committed to frameworks that safeguard the welfare of both the vulnerable and non vulnerable citizens.

He affirmed that the House consistently prioritised participatory governance through stakeholders' engagements towards ensuring that the laws passed the Assembly reflect collective aspirations; describing the forum as an opportunity for contributors to shape a forward looking and people centered law that would strengthen social cohesion and justice.

The Speaker assured that all submissions made during the public hearing would be meticulously reviewed and incorporated where appropriate to guarantee that the final draft of the bill capture the interests of stakeholders and meet its intended objectives for the State.

Speaking, the sponsor of the bill and Assembly Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, stated that the legislation sought to entrench fairness, promote representation and prohibit discrimination in all spheres; adding that the Commission would ensure that DEI principles were infused into policy making and implementation using evidence based approaches and evaluation mechanisms.

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, clarified that the DEI bill remained a priority for both the legislative and executive arms; adding that efforts were ongoing to ensure that public facilities across the State comply with inclusion and accessibility standards.

She assured that her Ministry would sustain collaboration with the Assembly to ensure that the Disability Law said to had been passed and assented to in 2017 undergo the needed amendment to make it operational to further protect the interests of the people living with disabilities.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, and the Assembly Chief Whip, Hon. Omolola Bakare, stressed the importance of the bill in addressing long standing inequalities; explaining that the DEI Commission Bill would serve as a structured platform for marginalized voices to participate in governance, economic development and social life.

In his closing remarks, the Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye clarified that the DEI Bill would not replace the existing disability law but complement it; assuring the stakeholders that all submissions would be carefully reviewed and integrated as appropriate.