Luqmon Balogun, Lagos
The Lagos State government has restated its commitment to inclusive governance where no one is left behind, particularly those who are persons with disabilities.
This comes as it celebrated a visually impaired broadcaster, Mr. Morankinyo Idowu, popularly known as Baba Gbelegbo, who was recognised for his immense contributions to the broadcast industry.
The Government through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA rewarded the veteran broadcaster with a cash award of 2,000,000 (two million naira) and said that the special recognition award was meant to appreciate his exceptional inputs in the media space.
At the brief event held at the Lagos State House of Assembly, the General Manager of the Agency, Mr. Oluwadamilare Ogundairo said that the Special award is a pointer to the commitment of the Lagos State Government to ensure people with disabilities are encouraged to continue to strive for excellence regardless of their disabilities.
“The essence of this award is to recognise Chief Morakinyo’s exceptional services and dedication as well as encourage persons with disability and their parents not to ever give up on their dreams; through this special recognition award, the office is sending a message to PWDs to continue to give their best in their chosen field.
“The developmental agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has continued to put in place policies and programs tailored precisely for every member of the society irrespective of gender or status.”
“This award ceremony is possible today because Mr. Morakinyo is educated and has not let his disability discourage him from pursuing his dreams through determination and hunger for excellence, your child with disabilities can also be celebrated if only you get them educated’, he said
He however encouraged everyone to stop the discrimination against people with disability and endeavors to educate and encourage them to survive.
The Chairman of, the House Committee on Social Development, Mr. Olanrewaju Oshun while congratulating the awardee, mentioned that disability does not mean a lack of ability, stressing that Mr. Morakinyo has demonstrated this to everyone through his numerous contributions to the broadcast industry regardless of his status.
According to him “Mr. Morakinyo is a ray of hope to People living with disabilities and their respective parents. His contributions to the broadcast industry have revealed that PWDs can do exploits if only they believe and pursue their dreams with determination.
I hereby urge them to see beyond their disabilities and ensure they develop their potential.”
He also urged parents to nurture their children with the right education accompanied by the attitude to be the best in all endeavors.
Appreciating the State Government and management of LASODA for the special recognition award, Mr. Morakinyo advised everyone living with disabilities not to feel discouraged but happy and dedicate themselves to their duties no matter the condition.
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) wants the Lagos State Government to be transparent in the management of the Social Protection Policy aimed toward ameliorating the suffering of the vulnerable.
Mrs Florence Austin, the centre’s Manager, said this at the Validation of Desktop Review and Multi-Year Budget Analysis on Lagos State Social Protection Policy ( LASSPP) in Lagos.
According to her, the event is to validate the findings of the assessment on the LASSPP in Lagos state.
She said that the social protection policy was an intervention programme designed to reduce poverty in the society mostly for People With Disabilities (PWD).
“We noted that the budget allocation for social protection of the state is not sufficient.
“Through the assessment we understood that persons with disability, mostly those at the grassroot level are not benefiting from this intervention.
“It is important for us to create awareness to reach those at the community levels on the provision of social protection policy in the state,” she said.
According to Austin, the state government should ensure that the intervention is accessible to the PWDs for them to participate on the same level with others.
She asked that the social protection report be made available to the public so that the report could be used to engage the ministries, departments and agencies.
“We will continue to sensitise persons with disability, taking it to the grass root level for them to understand the program and how they can benefit from it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Dede Kadiri, Consultant for the CCD project, said that government’s delivery should be measured against the social protection yardstick, such that the key commitment under social protection had to be fulfilled.
Kadiri, who is also Executive Secretary, Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development, said social protection had been in the pipeline since 2022 and it had come to stay.
“We are already seeing issues with funds and we want to be able to account for how much government has spent on people in making sure that poverty is eradicated.
“So, government needs to be very transparent, secondly the policy is not easily available which we want widely publicised.
“We also want government to increase funding on social protection programmes especially for the most vulnurable,” she said.
The consultant explained that social protection is a shock absorbing tool provided by society at different levels to help people who experience various types of shock, recover from their challenges.
“Social protection can be provided as insurance scheme, cash transfer programmes, empowerment programmes, training, capacity building among others to take care and close the gap between the rich and poor.
“Social protection is actually the system that try to erode poverty in the society so that people live equally and equitably,” she said.
Kadiri, therefore, called on politicians to make use of the social protection programme as an opportunity to shine and impact on the life of the people especially during this election period. NAN
