Persons with Disabilities in Ondo State in a meeting held on Saturday, November 16 laud Gov. Akeredolu’s achievements in the state.
This was received in an email addressed to the editor of Inclusive News Network (INN).
The group came together to offer special prayers and well wishes for the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN on his safe return to the State after his working leave and engagement with developing partners in a bid to further boost the development of the State. The group also used the occasion to pray for the peaceful coexistence of inhabitants of the State.
The meeting which was held at Ode-Irele in Irele local government area had in attendance the Board Chairman of the Agency for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities in Ondo State, Hon. Sanmi Alagbeleye, members of the Board and other State Executive members of the disability cluster groups who accompanied the chairman to this event.
Hon. Sanmi Alagbeleye, Chairman of the Board
Speaking in the event, Hon. Sanmi appreciated the State Governor for all his wonderful efforts in giving the State a new face and making lives better for the people. He expressed his gratitude to the governor for his passion for people with disabilities even before his assumption into office as the number one citizen of this State. He enjoined every member of the disability community across the state to always cooperate with the government, he appealed to his members to always present their requests in a more diplomatic manner that is void of crisis. He enjoined them to live peacefully among other clusters of the disability.
He reiterated the need for everyone to be united as a formidable team and always exercise patience while waiting for the dividends of democracy to get to them. He stressed that Government cannot do everything at the same time but he assured them that no one will be left behind in enjoying the good leadership of Gov. Arakunrin Akeredolu.
While thanking the entire members of people with disabilities for their support over his appointment and other Board members representing other clusters, Hon. Sanmi appealed to the governor to kindly approve the final list of people that will benefit from the employment opportunity he promised them few months ago during the inauguration event of the Board of the Agency for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
The group, lead by Hon. Sanmi stated that as they are waiting for the celebration of this year’s international day for people with disabilities which comes up on 3rd December, they will be glad to have the appointment letters as Xmas gifts given to beneficiaries of the employment.
Other speakers at the event were the State Chairman of the Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities in person of Comrade Adams Surajudeen who decry the unfavorable living conditions of members across the local government areas and he called for the establishment of Disability Desks in all the 18 LGAs of the State and such desks be manned by competent disabled people who understands what it takes to live with disability conditions. With this, he said that governance will be drawer to the people at the grassroots and people will be abreast of the happenings on various programs geared towards making lives better for them especially disabled people. He also tasked the Board of the Agency to work in rejuvenating some social benefits which people with disabilities have enjoyed in the previous administrations such as healthcare supports, bursary and scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities among other things. He charged the Board members and other political appointees representing disabled group under this present administration to lay good legacies that others will follow and make interest of members their priorities at all times.
The group also appealed to the general public, corporate bodies, faith based organizations and well meaning individuals not to leave the tasks or sole responsibilities of caring for people with disabilities alone to the government but to stand up and render their supports especially now when the economic situation in the country is not so favourable to poor people and the vulnerable groups in the society. They jointly wish the State governor more successful service to the good people of Ondo State and wishing him divine health.