LASG CALLS FOR GENUINE CARE, SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
… Hosts Parents of Children with Special Needs
The Lagos State Government has convened a session with parents and caregivers of children with special needs and emphasised the need to extend genuine care, support and the right to a good life to People Living With Disabilities (PLWD).
Speaking at the event with the theme: “Helping The Helping Hands”, organised by the Office for Disability Affairs and held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu said the present administration remains committed to addressing issues affecting persons with disabilities, maintaining that they must be carried along and adequately taken care of in the journey to a Greater Lagos for all.
Sanwo Olu, who was represented by the wife of the Honourable member of Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Agege Constituency II, Mrs. Abosede Ogundimu, noted that PLWDs have inalienable rights to participate in all aspects of human endeavours and positively contribute to political, social, economic and cultural life.
“There is no question about the passion of Mr. Governor towards persuading the plight of children with developmental disabilities and people living with disabilities generally, this is why Governor Sanwo-Olu consistently demonstrates that they are equal members of our societies”, she added.
The First Lady also commended the management of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) for dedicating this year’s celebration to appreciating the caregivers taking care of children with special needs.
Earlier, the General Manager of LASODA, Mr. Oluwadamilare Ogundairo, said the agency remains committed to the needs of people living with disabilities in line with its mandate to ensure that people with disabilities in the State enjoy meaningful life through continuous exploration of available avenues in making life more habitable and convenient for them.
He appreciated the State Government for its support to ensure that no one will be left out, charging caregivers to continue to be selfless and passionate about the well-being of the people living with disabilities.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Disability Affairs, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that people living with disabilities are not left behind in public affairs.
She noted that the mission to give the people living with disabilities a better life and sense of belonging cannot be achieved alone by the agency, urging everyone, especially caregivers, to give their maximum support to ensure the mission is fully accomplished.
One of the guest lecturers at the event, Mr. Mathew Ojo, in his paper presentation titled: “Sexual Reproductive Health”, said people living with disabilities are passionate human beings who feel what others feel, adding that their right to sex should not be jeopardised.
He, therefore, urged the members of the public to treat them equally and with a sense of belonging, saying they should be supported and encouraged to live a normal life.
IA/TMS/OS
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Pix 1-6: Images of the Y2022 Lagos State Special Needs Children’s Day with the theme: “Helping the Helping Hands”, held at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja
