Ikorodu West Deaf Development Association (IKWDDA) has called on government at all levels to prioritize the welfare of persons with disabilities.
The Chairman of the Association, Comrade Kuku Tosin made the call in commemoration of the international day of persons with disabilities. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed annual on December 3rd all over the world with the aims of promoting an understanding of disability issues and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The theme for the IDPD in 2023 is “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”.
IKWDDA Chairman said the Association joins clusters of Associations of PWDs in Ikorodu West LCDA to use this occasion to speak with one voice calling on Ikorodu West Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to give special attention to the numerous challenges facing disability community in their locality and find lasting solutions to these challenges.
“We commend the efforts of the administration of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, for signing the African charter on rights of persons with disabilities which ensured Nigeria joins a host of nations who are signatories to the protocol.
“We also appreciate the efforts of the Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu who has been very supportive to persons with disabilities with a subvention of ₦1.5 million to each associations of persons with disabilities with other empowerments to run the affairs of our state associations annually. This proves that the Governor has interest in the affairs of persons with disabilities.
“This statement cannot be completed without a special thank you to the Executives and members of National Youth Council Of Nigeria Ikorodu West LCDA especially the coordinator, Comrade Asoro Abubarki, who has been at our back and always carried us along since our association was recognized and registered with the Head of Department for Agriculture, Youth and Social Development, Ikorodu West LCDA.
The group called on various youths, organizations, political leaders and others across Ikorodu division to prioritize the welfare of persons with disabilities at local government level and set up a Disability desk tasked with specific attention to the needs of PWDs.
“The council chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA is doing his best for persons with disabilities, however, we want him to do more by carrying us along in the affairs of his administration. Ikorodu West LCAD consists of two Disability Associations which are Ikorodu West Deaf Development Association and Ikorodu West physically challenge Association and both deserve more recognition.
“We implore various youths, organizations and political leaders in Ikorodu division to come together to support the advocate for our rights and support our associations with subvention that will ensure smooth running of the Associations’ development.
“We, the people with disabilities, in Ikorodu division can’t expect support from Lagos State Government because the Government is doing it’s best to support various associations of persons with disabilities at state level. We want the six (6) Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in Ikorodu division to emulate the good work the Lagos State government is doing and do even better by prioritising the welfare of persons with disabilities in Ikorodu.” The group said.