The laudable idea of having a specialized Agency (Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs) for persons with Disabilities in Lagos had suffered defeats in many ramifications. Being a community newspaper that reports under-reported issues; as well as given the fact that the outlet (NGNews) prioritises challenges marginalised voices suffer in Nigeria environment, our reporters are always in constant touch with leaders of clusters of persons with disabilities association to monitor progress.
In the course of the year, we had called on the ousted General Manager of Lagos state Disability Affairs Office, requested conversation and dialogue with regards to challenges Persons with Disabilities face in Lagos with no avail. In some of our previous reports on the issue, here and especially in this we had called on the Governor to please act as many PWDs are going through hell under the present management of the Agency that should foster their well-being.
Every effort to get the attention of the supervisory Ministry of the Agency did not get any result yet the PWDs communities continue to accuse the government of neglect In one of our reports, we also called on Lagos State Governor to set up a Board for the Agency among many other issues that can make the Agency perform better
With continue conversation and dialogue with communities that matter, it is with gladness we welcome the announcement of new General Manager, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal , whom we believe has the capacity to deliver based on her pedigree.
Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the new General Manager of LASODA(Pc: Facebook)
We cannot but agree more with the state Government’s reason for her appointment which reads “The State Government expects the new General Manager to demonstrate a high level of dedication, diligence, and selflessness in the discharge of her duties to justify the confidence and trust reposed in her by Mr. Governor”.
Before Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal’s appointment, she had served as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disability and Inclusion and she previously founded Amputees United Initiative, a social group specifically for amputees. Adenike is also a Media professional.
A viral video on IG even confirmed the mood of some PWDs check here or link below
https://www.instagram.com/kupe9ja/reel/C1C7oWNCyyw/
While we welcome this new development. The newspaper wishes to state it will keep the new General Manager on her toes so she can bring necessary changes to the Agency and the lives of PWDs in Lagos state whose population is not less than 2 Million.
Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs
The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) was established by the Lagos State Special People’s Law (LSSPL) of June 2011 and its first Board was inaugurated by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola(SAN) on the 9th of July 2012 and charged with implementing the Law.
The Agency has 8 mandates which include: Advocacy, Public enlightenment and Reorientation of the public.2. Registration and coordination of associations of PWDs in Lagos State. Establishment of a PWDs database to ensure proper planning. 3. Collaboration with Ministries, Parastatals and corporate bodies in respect of building codes, all government policies, programs and activities. Liaising with international organizations to ensure the best practices available. 4. Issuance of directives and guidelines for the education, social development and welfare of PWDs, including preventive and curative exercises. 5. Issuance of guidelines and directives to the relevant authority on special sports and to special schools for PWDs. 6. Issuance and revocation of certificates of disability and customized insignia to be used at parking lots. 7. Ensuring compliance with the Law by receiving complaints from PWDs, investigation, prosecution and sanctions in appropriate cases of any violation of the Law. Actualising the enjoyment of all rights of PWDs in the Law. 8. Establishment and promotion of schools, vocational and rehabilitation centres for the development of PWDs.
