Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday gave empowerment grants of N10 million to clusters of People Living With Disabilities, PLWDs, to assist them to eke out a living.
The governor also distributed assistive devices to 1,000 PLWDs, while he promised to always protect their rights of physically challenged people.
Speaking at the official presentation of assistive devices and empowerment grants to PLWDs, at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television Ground, in Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, the governor said the Lagos State Office of Disabilities Affairs, LASODA, had been able to institute policies, plans and programmes that would guarantee equal rights and opportunities for PLWDs, thereby including them in all aspects of community life.
Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner, Youth and Social Development, Agboola Dabiri said as a responsible government, the N500 million Disability Trust Fund was inaugurated with the aim of assisting and empowering persons living with disabilities in the state.
He explained that the implementation of the disability fund was geared towards the advancement of the cause of PLWDs in the state and that individuals, corporate organisations, government institutions, among others could contribute to the fund as a way of jointly ameliorating the challenges facing physically challenged person.
The governor, however, said the assistive devices and empowerment grants would take PLWDs off the street, empower them into productive business ventures, thereby making them fit into societal life.
Speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Development, Joyce Onafowokan stressed the need for early support for children with disabilities as any developmental delay in such area could lead to environmental risk, such as drug abuse and lack of proper pre-natal care.
The General Manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, LASODA, Dr. Babatunde Awelenje said the N500 million disability fund had made it possible for the plights of PLWDs to be catered for.
He commended Ambode for catering for the needs of PLWDs in the state, as he had put smiles on their faces.
culled from PM NEWS
