PERA Awards to Include Persons With Disabilities In Its Categories in 2020

Pace Setter Entertainment and Recognition Awards (PERA) presented awards to some celebrities and dignitaries as they stormed the ancient city of Ibadan for the 3rd edition of PERA Awards 2019 on Sunday, 8th December.

Before the day of the awards, there was a conference organised by PERA entertainment on the 22nd of August, 2019 at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan at 10am with the theme “The Growth of Entertainment Via Social Media” The key note speaker was Mr Edmund Obilo, renowned investigative journalist.

There were two sessions. The first session was moderated by Mr Deji Adigun while Mr Dare Adekanbi, Chief Correspondent of Tribune Newspaper talked about “Social Media, A Tool for Publicity”. Other speakers include: Mr Tosin Odita, Mrs Oyenike Adeleke and Ms Azuka Ogujuba among others until the question and answer session started.

Raheem Yusuf (left) with two other persons with disabilities at the PERA Awards night

During the question and answer session, two observations were raised by a physically-challenged person, Raheem Yusuf Olatunji who was also present at the conference with two other persons with disabilities. When INN asked about his observations. He said “I raised an observation on the choice of venue for conference because it’s not accessible for wheelchair users. It’s the first floor of a storey building that was used and there’s no elevator there. We were carried by other participants. I added that many persons with disability who are interested in such conference may find it difficult to attend, henceforth, accessibility and inclusion of Persons With Disability should be taken into consideration”.

“My second observation was that Persons with Disability who are into entertainment should be included in the award categories of PERA Awards so as to motivate them, discover more talents and to promote inclusive entertainment for all”.

Responding, the chairperson of the organisation, Mrs Ennie Osaro Aiyeola reacted and said “the issue will be looked into.”

INN gathers that it was not until the award day held on December 18 that the chairperson gave Raheem her phone number and asked him to call her so as to look at the way and strategy to be used to include Persons with Disability in the award. The director of Media team, PERA Awards, Mr Tolu Oluwo also supported the idea.

“I was not the only Persons with Disability in attendance. We were three in number but I was the only one that had the privilege to talk. By God’s Grace, we hope that by 2020 our dream will come true as this will inspire, motivate and discover more talents in the state. Leave no one behind is what we’re advocating for”, He concluded

The event was graced by top government functionaries in the state and Nollywood stars like: Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Juliu Agu, Yomi Fanslaso, Gbenga Adeyinka, Yinka Ayefele, Shina Peter, Woli Agba, Funso Adeolu, Muyiwa Ademola, Chief press secretary to the governor of Oyo state, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Evelyn Omolara Faroumbi, and a host of other artistes.