Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI) has lauded Ekiti State government for prioritizing disability inclusion on the state.
It also called for appointment of a person with disability as Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Office for Disability Affairs.
In a press statement released on Friday, the group said the call became necessary following the Ekiti State Executive Council meeting reaching a resolution on calling for compliance with the Ekiti State Disability Law, 2020 and especially on accessibility of public facilities.
INN reports that the Ekiti State Executive Council had directed that all public buildings in the state must be in compliance with the disability law on creating access to people mobility difficulties by providing ramps and equipment to help them access the buildings with ease by the end of 2025.
Public buildings are classified to include business malls & supermarkets, churches, mosques, educational institutions (schools), banks official buildings
“We commend the Ekiti state government under the leadership of Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for this great and courageous step towards
inclusion.
“We also appreciate the effort of the Special Adviser to the governor on Special Education & Social Inclusion, Princess Agboola Adetoun Funmilayo and other SSAs on disability. This was one of our major demands on the just concluded Disability Rights Fund (DRF) funded project on Accessibility of Public Facilities & Services in Ekiti State implemented in 2022/23.”
DINABI asserted that since the inception of the current administration of Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the government of Ekiti State have prioritised disability inclusion drive which had led to many developments especially with the three Special Schools in Ekiti state.
“We further call on our amiable State Governor and his government to ensure the appointment of a person with disability as the next Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Office for Disability Affairs in line with Part VIII Section 40 (1)(a-c) which mandates the Executive Secretary to be a person with disability.
“We therefore pledge our continued support to the government, the people of Ekiti state and the entire Disability Community towards a disability inclusive society devoid of discrimination, harassment and exclusion.”