The Ogun State Government has distributed empowerment materials including mobility aids, professional working tools and digital educational devices to the various clusters of people with disabilities, with a renewed assurance of ensuring the inclusion of their peculiarities in the various policy phases.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye stated this during the empowerment activities in commemoration of the International World Disability Day, held at the Fatty Lammy Recreation Center, Abeokuta, saying the present administration remained committed to recognizing the potential of all people, especially those living with disabilities.
In her remarks, the Commissioner noted that, “with the support of necessary stakeholders, we will continue to collectively strive to ensure that people with disabilities are not hindered from achieving positive outcomes in life, aligning with the SDG initiatives.”
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“Through various initiatives and programmes, the Ogun State Government will continue to appreciate their special talents as we remain committed to providing an enabling environment for them to fully realize their potentials in all spheres of life. We will challenge stereotypes and discrimination against people living with disabilities. This is a clarion call to all residents of Ogun State, it is our collective duty as a people bound by love and a common identity”, Adeleye said.
The two-term former lawmakers expressed that to enable the persons with disabilities benefit from SDG initiatives, the State Government would further prioritize accessible education, promote employment opportunities, enhance healthcare accessibility, and ensure their full participation in civic and political life.
She assured that the Ministry would collaborate with necessary stakeholders towards challenging stereotypes, breaking down physical and social barriers, and fostering a society where diversity were being celebrated, adding that efforts were in top gear for Government to ensure a review of the subscription charges of the State Health Insurance Scheme to enable the people with disabilities key into the health programme.
In her remarks, the Chairman, State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Bakare Olanrewaju, while applauding the ministry for putting up the empowerment programmes, assured that the State House of Assembly would continue to give more strategic support through passage of bills and resolutions to encourage the activities of PWDs in the state.
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Earlier in his lecture, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Ibrahim Opeewe, said it became imperative for Government at all levels to consider PWDs in the holistic attainment of all SDGs towards achieving a balanced society, counseled the participants to shun drug abuse, embrace activities including sporting activities that would aid the longevity of their lives.
Opeewe commended the State Government for the inclusiveness of the State Health Insurance Scheme which allows for the enrollment of PWDs, with a call for more empowerment activities that would enable them exhibit their talent and potential to the society.
In their respective goodwill messages, the State Chairman, JONAPWD, Dr. Michael Ebonhor, other cluster heads including the representatives of the National Association of the Blind, Barr. Joseph Bulugbe; Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), Mr. Ayo Awobona; National Association of the Deaf, Comrade Rasheed Salami and Mr. Jimoh Ahmed of the Integrated Divinity Economic Advancement, commended the leadership of the ministry for the timely celebration of the international day.
Seeking for the creation of Office of People With Disabilities in Ogun State, they called for the inclusion of PWDs in planning and implementing phases of all developmental projects in the State for the consideration of their peculiarities.
Beneficiaries of the empowerment items including Mrs. Busayo Ogunrinu, Bose Olaiya, Adesanya Richard and Bamgbose Rafiu hailed the transparent selection process of the empowerment through their respective clusters, promising that they would make judicious usage of the items to improve their source of livelihoods.