Mrs. Abiodun Marks International Day of Persons with Disability
The wife of the Governor of Ogun state, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun has emphasized her commitment to the care and wellbeing of children with special needs in Ogun state.
She stated this at the programme organised by her office to commemorate the day held at the MTR Hall, GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta.
Mrs. Abiodun said there was need for the state to support people with disabilities by ensuring that the act prohibiting discrimination against them was signed into law, implemented and localized in Ogun state.
She called on all to create enabling environment that would further ensure the inclusion of the persons with disabilities in the society adding that
She identified enlightenment as a key factor to change people’s orientation towards persons with special needs adding that this would give them a sense of belonging in the society.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Ranti Oladeinde said the day was to motivate persons with disabilities and encourage them to continue to contribute their quota to the society.
The Special Adviser on Primary, Secondary and Technical Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo and the Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Mr. Olalekan Mohammed in their good will messages unanimously called on individuals and corporate bodies to stop stigmatising them in all spheres of human endeavors.
She enjoined the different groups of the special people not to relent in their collective support for the groups as this would give them a common platform to be united in their struggles.
The lead speaker at the occasion, Mrs. Sola Folarin Ogunde, founder, Jesse’s Place Foundation, said every child with disability had hidden potentials thereby deserving decent lease of life.
Mrs. Ogunde who spoke on the theme ” The Future is Accesible” called on governments, organizations and individuals to work together to make lives of children with disabilities worth living encouraging the children also to have a positive mindset towards life.
The supporting speaker, Mr. Akinyemi Elijah, a retired Permanent Secretary, in his speech explained disability as a mere challenge that some people need to cope with adding that researches had debunked myths surrounding the various forms of disabilities.
He called for the prohibition of discrimination against them and advised parents not to pamper their special children from house chores encouraging such children to embrace education, stay focused and be studious.
