11th May, 2017
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government says it will soon begin the disbursement of funds to People Living with Disabilities, PLD, who are willing to go into Small scale and Medium Enterprises, SMEs and vocation to eke out a living.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf disclosed this on Tuesday at the Interactive Quiz competition between students of special and inclusive primary schools in Lagos, organized by the Lagos State Office for Disabilities Affairs, LASODA, held at the State Government Secretariat, Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Akinbile-Yusuf said the fund would be drawn from the N500 million disability fund earmarked for PLD by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode recently.
According to her, “all is now set for the empowerment of PLDs who have and are willing to go into small scale trades and subsistence agricultural businesses and vocation in Lagos State. All you need do is for you to join recognized cluster association peculiar to your type of disability; obtain the form, fill it and meet other necessary requirements.”
The commissioner appealed to the public, including individuals, families, private sectors, corporate organisations, among others not to regard disability concerns as belonging to government alone.
“People living with disability come from within the various family units within our society; therefore, we must always include them in all our plans and ensure economic, social and political integration.
“Their physical, psychological and mental capacity must be fully explored and developed to the fullest for the greatest benefit of all. Nobody is useless afterall and everyone has his value in life, depending on how we nurture them,” she said.
Permanent Secretary, Youth and Social Development, Hakeem Muri-Okunola urged members of the public to support government’s effort in making life meaningful for PWDs in the state, while challenging the media to always give serious attention to disability issues.
“This way, we will be able to make our positive impact in the life of these our fellow citizens,” he said, urging PWDs to come to the Lagos State Office for Disabilities Affairs, LASODA to get themselves registered.
Chairman, Governing Board of LASODA, Waheed Oki said recent pronouncement by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode offering job opportunity for 250 PWDs in both state and local government service commission was a feat that had never been recorded at any level both now and in the past.
However, the quiz competition was won by Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted and won a cash prize of N200,000.