Finally: PWDs Bill Catches Governors Attention in Osun, Mobility Aids Given to Clusters

By Abisola Ariwodola, 

The much agitated Prohibition for Persons with Disability bill which, Special Needs community in Osun have been clamoring for, finally caught the attention of Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke.

This is as the Governor ordered the Ministry of Justice to expedite the legal framework of the bill for the benefits of the Persons with Disability in the state.

The disclosure occured during Distribution of Mobility Aids as part of the celebration of 100 days in office to clusters of Persons with Disability comprising of the virtually impaired, the Deaf, Spinal Cord, Physical Disability and the Albino, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Local Government Service Commission at the government Secretariat.

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke in his address stated that, the Government has a responsibility to support all categories of citizenry, with the special needs category inclusive.

He emphasized that the Persons with Disability are part of the state sector, added that no growth is complete if a section of the state is neglected and abandoned. 

Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke reiterated that his administration is committed to supporting the PWDs as part of its citizenry, he opined that his government will work to comply with local and international best practices. 

He announced before the excited Persons with Disability that his administration will review the legal framework as it affects the people with disabilities within Osun State, and he directed the Ministry of Justice to review and bring up to date the Osun State Disability bill.

According to him, "all needed legislative and executive actions should be launched without further delay, Osun must get a Disability law in due course to cater for the needs of this class of our society"

"To our people with special needs, this administration will ensure that the final law addresses all your concerns, once the legal framework is formalized, be rest assured of full implementation as may be prescribed"

"Meanwhile, I invite you to accept these support materials as a starting point of our partnership, I am by this programme demonstrating that people with special needs are not forgotten in my administration" - Governor Adeleke stated.

The number one Osun citizen, also at the program appreciated Osun people for the successful conduct of the last polls, sympathized with victims of political violence across the state, frowned at acts of thuggery in parts of the state, while maintaining that election is not war but choice making.

According to Mr Governor, "Now that elections are over, I call on all Osun people to get back to work and focus on the urgent task of building a better Osun state, Now is the time to support the government's efforts to address our developmental challenges. We need all hands on deck to improve the growth of the various sectors of the society".

In their separate goodwill messages, Osun Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons with Disability, JONAPWD Mr Oluwafemi Stephens appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for the Two hundred and Forty (240) mobility aids given to the selected clusters in Osun.

Oluwafemi who described Governor Adeleke as compassionate and considerate revealed that the association have been agitating for the bill to be passed into law for years, he listed request of other necessity that will assist the association to the Governor.

The duo of Director Garnett Center for Special Needs Dr Mrs Olayinka Oderinde and SSA to Mr Speaker on Disability Matters, Mr Kehinde Onitiju applauded Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke for the laudable project which they said was witnessed through MTN intervention in year 2010.

They opined that Governor Ademola Adeleke has again made history as a government by providing the necessary mobility aids to the Osun Persons With Disability PWDs community, and they asked for promotion and support of special Sports, and also used the opportunity to invite the Governor to visit Persons with Special Needs School.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Coordinating Director Ministry of Youths Sports and Special Needs, Mrs Taiwo Oladunjoye pointed out that the distribution of the aids was a demonstration of the love and commitment of the State helsman to the welfare of the special people in the State.

She commended the Governor for taking keen interest in the general well being of Persons with Disabilities and for the approval of funds for the programme, while noting that the aids will make life more meaningful to the beneficiaries, help them achieve independence, reduce pain as well as increase their confidence and self esteem. 

The Coordinating Director used the medium to appeal to non-governmental organisations and well meaning Philanthropists to partner with the Government in providing social services to the special people in their midst as Government cannot do it alone. 

Speaking further, she charged the beneficiaries to appreciate the good gesture of the present administration through their support and cooperation to lift the State to an enviable height.

Mobility aids distributed to the Osun state cluster of Persons With Disability include: wheel chairs, armpit crutches, elbow crutches,  guiding canes, urine bags, leading midgets, bowler caps, tick albino umbrellas, hand gloves, magnifier glasses, sunscreen cream and soap for the albinos, hearing aids devices as well as medical aids for persons with spinal cord injury and among others.

It can be recalled that Non-governmental organizations such as Hope For Development Initiatives HFDI, Society For Life Changers And Good Parental Care SOLIFE, Hope Alive Foundation, Community Advancement Initiative for Self Reliance, CAI4SR among others have been advocating for the passage of the bill since year 2006 in Osun state.

Dignitaries at the program include the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, Permanent Secretaries, Executive Secretaries and General Managers as well as political stalwarts, to mention but a few.

The event also featured cutting of the 100-days in Office Cake, cultural display by the Deaf troupe, ewi and ijala rendition by a spinal cord and blind PWD member as well as  entertainment by the Osun Cultural Troupe, crowned with special prayer for the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.