By Seyi Ogunbayo, Ogun
The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) Ogun state chapter has joined the people of Ogun State to congratulate the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on his recent victory at Supreme Court as legally elected governor of the state and also urged him to fulfill all the promises he previously made to them during his campaign.
The Association made this appeal on Saturday at it strategic planning meeting for 2024 held at the Association Secretariat, Oke ilewo Abeokuta, the state capital.
The State Chairman of the Association, Dr. Michael Ebonhor while reminding the state governor of his promises, charged the general public to relate with his members in accordance with the Ogun state disability law having passed by the former governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun.
Dr. Ebonhor said “Your Excellency, we want to use this occasion to remind you of your promises to mobility for our Association and provide slots for persons with disabilities in all employment as well as conducive access to public office for persons on wheel chairs and crutches.
“We want to use this occasion to implore both private and public organizations to make their offices accessible to PWDs in compliance to the provisions of Nigeria Disability Act by providing ramps for wheel chair users, and professional sign language interpreters at hospitals, schools, Ministries, Departments and Agencies and various places in order to bridge communication gap. And we also demand full implementation of Ogun state disability law.
“We congratulate Gov. Dapo Abiodun on his victory at the supreme court. It shows that God has destined him to complete the second term without any restrictions with the verdict of the Supreme Court.
“What we demand for is good governance, most especially for us persons with disabilities in Ogun state. We want to use this occasion to congratulate you and also remind you of the promise of good governance and inclusion of persons with disabilities in your government.
“We also want to remind the government and the good people of Ogun state that the National Disability Act has prohibited discrimination against persons with disabilities in Nigeria having passed five years grace period, we demand the provisions of the act in Ogun state, such as making public offices and public institutions accessible to persons with disabilities in Education, Health and Employment.
INN reports that the Ogun state disability law was signed on December 27, 2017 and it has not been implemented since Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun came into office.
Speaking further, Dr. Ebonhor noted that the Association is not discouraged.
“We are trying to re-energize ourselves to form a collaboration with the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR).”
The Association however pledged 100% loyalty to Dapo Abiodun led administration and wishes his government many blessings and prosperities.
While seeking the Civil Society support in this cause, the National Vice-President of Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, (CDHR) Comrade Yinka Folarin also revealed that there are so many dramas around the Ogun disability law.
He assured that the law will be revisited and government must do the needful, noting that they are going to engage the government on the disability law.
One of the members of the Association, Mr. Adebesin Abacha enjoined the members to speak in one voice when requesting for anything from government so that the government will take the Association seriously.