Source: Daily Post Nigeria
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Osun State have voiced concerns over alleged neglect by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.
They argue that planning for PWDs without their input will not yield effective results, as the needs of different groups vary significantly.
Their grievances were expressed in a statement on Monday in Osogbo, signed by Tubosun Olabomi, Team Lead of One House Development Initiative; Stephen Oluwafemi, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Osun; Smith Aghanti, Secretary of JONAPWD Osun; and Elizabeth Ishola, Women Coordinator for Osun JONAPWD.
The statement detailed the group’s unsuccessful attempts to contact the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, who also serves as Commissioner for Sports and Special Needs. They also reached out to Kamil Aransi, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Special Needs, to discuss issues affecting PWDs, particularly the need for schools for special needs students to keep pace with those in other Southwest states.
The PWDs noted that over 75,000 individuals in the state require government support in various aspects of their lives.
“We want to express our dissatisfaction and feelings of neglect,” the statement read. “Despite our efforts to reach the Deputy Governor to discuss the needs of over 57,000 persons with disabilities, we have received no response to our letters or attempts at lobbying.”
The group emphasized that their meetings with Aransi have yielded no results, and they feel excluded from decision-making processes. They called on Governor Adeleke to prioritize the needs of PWDs in Osun State, highlighting the importance of implementing the Disability Act to improve their circumstances.
“Empowerment through job opportunities is crucial for us,” they stated. “Planning for us without us may not bring the expected results, as each group has different needs.”
JONAPWD in Osun comprises five clusters: albinism, hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical disabilities, and spinal cord injuries.
