Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa who spoke at an interactive session and distribution of food packages to female PWDs in the state held at the palace of the Osolo of Isolo, in Akure South Local Government Area of the state said his government is commitment to improving the welfare of the people of the coastal state, particularly the physically-challenged persons.
Specifically, Aiyedatiwa, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye said the palliatives will ease the economic hardship being faced by the disability community in the state.
She said: “Honestly, it is the passion of Mr governor for humanity and his love for all regardless of status, their disabilities or where they come from.
“This initiative is aimed at reaching out to all women, developing ideas, innovations, strategies through which all women in the state can be carried along and be encouraged to enjoy governance and exposed to means of accessing resources of government
“You can see that female PWDs here are so enthusiastic because they are encouraged that government has come down to them. This is because the governor has been prioritizing their social welfare.
Dr Osamaye stressed that the gesture was part of efforts Aiyedatiwa’s government to accelerate the growth and development of persons with disability.
“Today, we’re having interactive session with PWDs, and this is to encourage them, to renew their hope, to tell them that this administration is for them and by the Grace of God, once we unveil our policies, government policies and aganda for inclusion, they will know that indeed, this governor loves them.”
“Today, we have over 400 PWDs here and they’re just representatives, like I told them, we only came to engage them and this is just for Akure LGA, we are reaching out to all the 18 LGAs.
According to her, “What we’ve come here to do is to tell them that the governor will continually prioritize their social welfare, we are going to be introducing them to job opportunities, we are going to be introducing to them every opportunities that government have. To aid their businesses, to provide them with financial resources and support that can make them self reliant, so they don’t go to the street to beg.
“We’ve come to identify with them today, to tell them that Ondo government is for them and we are going to find a way through which they can tap into government so that they can enjoy government.”
Earlier, the Board Chairman, Agency for the Welfare of PWDs, Mrs. Arise Folasade said governor Aiyedatiwa, just like his late principal, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has been playing an integral role in supporting persons with disabilities through job opportunities, empowerment, training, advocacy and other ways.
Also, the Caretaker Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Mr. Gbenga Fasua appreciated the state governor for bringing succor to the PWDs in his domain, saying the gesture will cushion the effects of hardship among the people.