Ogun State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has empowered about 150 People Living With Disabilities, PWD, in the state.
The empowerment was part of the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities themed, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
Items distributed at the event were Deep Freezers, Grinding Machines, Generating Sets, Clippers, Brail Machines, Walking Sticks, and Wheel Chairs among others.
The Ministry’s Commissioner, Adijat Adeleye said the essence of the empowerment was to reaffirm the commitment of the present administration of inclusion and equity for persons with disabilities and ensure a significant impact in their lives.
“As we commemorate this year’s Disability Day, I want to assure you that, Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration remains steadfast in its commitment to prioritising the needs of all persons with special needs”, she said.
Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Adejumoke Adewole, urged PWD to invest in themselves, acquire needed skills for self-development, get new ideas and embrace technology as part of the requirements to thrive in today’s world.
She reiterated the Ministry’s continued commitment to take every necessary step to support their growth and success.
Speaking on the year’s theme, the former Chairman of the Nigeran Medical Association, NMA, Dr Kunle Ashimi, advised PWDs not to belittle themselves or be intimidated by their status but see themselves as the ones who could hold higher positions, noting that leadership is not by physical appearance but by brain, wisdom and intelligence.
In their separate goodwill messages, the state Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD, Micheal Ebohor and Olori Aminat Matemilola, appreciated the state government for prioritising the welfare and well-being of PWDs by celebrating them, giving them job opportunities, among other things, so that they could be able to provide for their families and be self-independent.
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