By Adewale Adeyanju (INN), Lagos
The chairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Dr. Kayode Omiyale, has offered free Healthcare program to ten Deaf persons to better the living conditions of persons with disabilities in the local government.
He made the offer at the 3rd edition of Yaba Deaf Awareness Day on Thursday 15 December, 2022 inside Chief Oluremi Tinubu Hall, Yaba LCDA, Lagos State with the theme “Sign language: a catalyst for achieving equal opportunities and sustainable development goals for the deaf community”.
The chairman assured of empowering more Deaf persons, adding that employment and empowerment are veritable tools through which the deaf can be uplifted.
Dr Omiyale said the era of begging on the street is gone and, if the deaf can be empowered and given employment, it will help in improving their living conditions. He promised to continue doing his best in his own little way.
Earlier in his speech, Chairman of Yaba Deaf Association (YDA), Mr. Lanre Agboola praised Yaba LCDA chairman for being Disability Friendly, he urged the Chairman to continue to partner with the association to find meaningful solutions to the plights of the Deaf in Yaba and environs, maintaining that they have roles to play in achieving equal opportunities and sustainable development goals for deaf community.
Also speaking, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Lagos State Chapter, stressed that “there is urgent needs for Local Government Councils to earnestly help in education and training of the Deaf to enable them achieve equal opportunities.
“So far many deaf persons have lower education and if they are encouraged with a job and to further their education, it will help them leverage on opportunities present to them” he emphasized.
Mr Adeyanju also called for creation of Disability desk in the Local Government Council that identify with deaf people through the use of sign language.