Hundreds of persons with disabilities in Ogun State have been empowered by the New Era Initiative for Persons with Disability, a non-governmental organisation, to help them thrive in the society.
The empowerment, which was part of the group’s activities marking the end of the year 2024, highlighted the importance of offering equal chances to foster a supportive and inclusive community.
About 100 PWDs who were empowered with assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, also received sewing machines, refrigerators, cash prizes and food items.
The New Era Initiative empowerment programme with the theme “Social Inclusion: Ensuring Empowerment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities” restated its strong dedication to empowering people with disabilities.
President of the group, Adeyinka Adekunle, at the event in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the weekend, noted that empowering Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) is essential to help them withstand the challenges of hardship and hunger in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the President equally called on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, domesticate the Disability Law to end the marginalisation and exclusion of people with disabilities in the state.
He stated that the marginalisation of people with disabilities is alarming, and only the implementation of the law can stop it.
He said, “We are calling on the federal government to come to our aid. We are being marginalised in society. The government should come to our aid and help us realise that we are equal to the rest of the people in society. There should be no segregation, there should be no marginalisation.
“We want to enjoy all the benefits that other people in society are enjoying. The federal government has passed the law, but the implementation is what is now left. I have not seen any state government that has domesticated the law yet. We are pleading for the domestication of the law so that all the content of the bill will come to reality.”
Earlier, in her address, the guest speaker, Mrs Felicia Olaleye, emphasised the importance of physical and mental well-being for persons with disabilities, regardless of their conditions.
She said, “It is very important that you take good care of your health. Eat good food, wear good clothes to look good. Prioritise your mental and physical well-being. Who says you can’t look good despite your challenges?”
