The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Moses Odunwa, has announced that the Assembly has successfully passed more than 30 bills since the inception of the seventh legislative session two years ago.
Odunwa made this known during a Validation Meeting held in Enugu on Saturday, focused on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Bill.
The session was organized by Women Aid Collective (WACOL) and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), with funding support from UN Women through the Government of Canada.
The Speaker emphasized that the House remains committed to advancing progressive, people-focused legislation, often setting the pace ahead of other state assemblies.
“The DEI Bill has already scaled first reading. The slight delay is due to this validation meeting, where all members are expected to contribute their input,” Odunwa explained.
He highlighted Ebonyi’s track record in legislative innovation, citing the early passage of the Prisons Reform Bill, which earned national recognition.
He expressed optimism that the DEI Bill would be passed before the end of the year, following appropriate amendments and due legislative process.
“We want to ensure the DEI Bill is not draconian, but truly inclusive, reflecting the values of equity and fairness for the benefit of all citizens,” he said.
According to Odunwa, the state government under Governor Francis Nwifuru has already begun laying the groundwork for a more inclusive governance structure, reinforcing the Assembly’s readiness to pass the DEI Bill and forward it for executive assent.
Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN), Executive Director of WACOL and Professor of International Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, explained that the DEI Bill seeks to empower all genders and social groups by ensuring no one is left behind in the state’s development process.
“The DEI Bill is about creating a balanced and inclusive society. This workshop will help refine the draft to ensure it meets the needs of all stakeholders before it becomes law,” Prof. Ezeilo said.
She noted that the Bill also proposes the creation of a new commission that would oversee its implementation and enforcement once passed.
In a goodwill message, Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru, wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, declared her full support for the DEI Bill.
She emphasized its potential to dismantle cultural and institutional barriers that hinder women and other marginalized groups from realizing their full political and economic potential.
“Just as I’ve championed the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), I fully back the DEI Bill. It will pave the way for a more equitable and just society,” she stated.
She also commended WACOL, NILDS, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and the Ebonyi State House of Assembly for driving the legislative process forward.
