TQM report,
Residents of Ogun State have been called upon to stop stigmatizing and discriminating against people with leprosy, as well as other forms of disabilities, as doing so would do them no good and could further ostracize them.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Efuwape made this call during a joint celebration of the 2021 International Leprosy Day and International Wheelchair Day, at the Women Development Trainning Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta during which items including wheelchairs, grinding machine, deep freezers, industrial cooking gas, crutches and food items were donated.
Efuwape, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Adeleye while speaking on the themes for the Days, “Beat Leprosy, End Stigma and Advocate for Mental Wellbeing and Our Chair Our Mobility: No more Discrimination” noted that, the special people were celebrated to raise awareness about leprosy, which many people believe has gone into extinction, as well as end the discrimination and stigmatization being confronted by the people living with it.
“Currently, it is not only the disease that is being overlooked, but those affected by it, hence, the need for the theme. The persons with disabilities are often discriminated and stigmatized, while these have negative impacts on them”, Efuwape said.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi urged the people with disabilities to be courageous and not to serve as liabilities to others, adding that they should be ready to help themselves, so that people could help them.
‘’Nobody should stigmatize or discriminate against the persons with disabilities, as they are created for the glory of God”, Melutia said.
Appreciating the gesture, the Chairman, Ogun State Chapter of the Persons with disabilities, Mr. Olalekan Mohammed, appreciated the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration and the Ministry for the support, while some of the beneficiaries, Messers. Lukmon Folonso and Cusmos Adeoye said the development would turn around their living conditions for the better.
