THE Lagos State Government has said it would unveil more policies and programmes to help People With Disabilities in the state.
The General Manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs(LASODA), Mr Oluwadamilare Ogundairo, disclosed this on Wednesday during the annual trade expo and talent hunt show organised by the office in Alausa, Ikeja.
He said, “One of the reasons for the establishment of the office is to celebrate the uniqueness and the inherent talents of Persons with Disabilities. There is the Special Peoples Law, which among other things, advocates social inclusion for PWDs and provision of life of fulfilment and productivity for persons with disabilities. More landmark programmes and policies such that have never happened before in the state would soon be unveiled by the state government for the benefits of physically challenged persons.
“Some of these initiatives have started to unfold already. For instance, we held the first ever sports festival for persons with disabilities last year, the festival was also first of its kind in Nigeria. Apart from this, the agency will hold its kind empowerment programme later this year where several beneficiaries would also emerge.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Affairs, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde, called on PWDs not to isolate themselves but actively participate in activities.
“All PWDs that are yet to register with LASODA should do so in order to be part of the beneficiaries of the various empowerment initiatives from the government.
“We want you to be involved in contributing your quota to the development of Lagos as against isolating yourselves from governance and hiding your disabilities,” she said.
PUNCH
