Lagos State Celebrates Persons Living With Disabilities

 The Lagos State Government on Thursday marked the annual international day of persons living with disability (PLWD), restating its resolve to bequeath quality life to physically challenged persons and incorporate their interest in its programs and policies.

The event with the theme “The Future is Accessible” was held at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park Alausa Ikeja and was organised by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs(LASODA) under the ministry of Youth and Social Development.

According to the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Olusegun Dawodu, the rationale behind the annual event is to celebrate people living with disabilities and to also create awareness about their plight.

He stated that the Lagos State Government has always prioritised the well-being and development of people living with disabilities as evident in the various programs and laws established to protect their rights.

Dawodu reiterated the commitment of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in ensuring that people living with disabilities have confidence in their disability, saying that different programs have been earmarked for their development.

While saying that a lot is being done to improve on the existing disability laws to meet up with the current trends, Dawodu also noted that efforts would be geared towards improving on ease of movement.

Dawodu thanked the various cluster groups and partners that have ensured that people living with disabilities are well organised, just as he sought for more cooperation from them going forward.

The National Association of Physically Challenged persons, Lagos State Chapter Mr Dare Dairo in his lecture stated that the “future is accessible” for these categories of persons, citing the example of how assitive technology had made life more meaningful and liveable for them.

He however challenged PLWD to position themselves by taking advantage of the opportunities that abound in various technologies that would guarantee their quality life style.

He thanked the Lagos State Government for its commitment to the plight of PLWD specifically for signing the State disability laws 10 years before the Federal Government.

Awards were giving to various groups and eminent personalities that had supported PLWD in the past and present.