By Bright Gbotemi
Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, has commissioned project to foster support and give sense of belonging to the Persons leaving with disabilities in the state.
He stated that God in His wisdom endowed some people with special abilities even in situations that presents inabilities and or disabilities and that they were not destined to beg in the society.
Governor Adeleke who was Ably represented by Osun Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina
at the commissioning of a newly built Skill Acquisition Centre For Persons With Disability (PWDs) at JONAPWD Center at Aisu in Ede South local government area of Osun state.
The Governor emphasized his readiness to continue to put smiles on the faces of people, with a declaration to include PWDs in all schemes for effective delivery of the much sought dividends of democracy for the good people of Osun State.
The project was facilitated by Osun Community Social Development Agency, (CSDA), targeted at improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of all and sundry to live a better life, most especially those that are at a disadvantaged position, based on their physical and emotional conditions.
The Governor states “Our administration takes cognisance of the importance of giving support to individuals to feel connected and valued within the society and address any form of social exclusion that people experience everyday.
“Our policies and actions shall see to it that Osun people have access to services that will better their lot, as well as ensuring citizens participation in the decision making process that will affect their lives.
“This ,we have resolved to do regardless of people’s gender, social status and physical conditions”.
He urged the beneficiaries of the skill acquisition center to make judicious use of the facility through adequate maintenance and sustainability.
At the event, the General Manager, Osun state Community and Social Development Agency, Mrs Aderonke Funmi Abokede, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for the achievements made in One hundred days in office.
She stated that Osun CSDA is involved in Micro projects which are people oriented, through an enabling platform provided by Governor Adeleke, adding that mainstreaming the persons with disability into development will distinguish Osun state as a role model of building inclusive society and giving a voice to the voiceless.
She also expressed the hope that the empowerment kits such as tailoring machines, hair dryers, shoe making among others which were commissioned with the facility for the training of the persons with disability would be put to use effectively.
Highlight of the program was the presentation of the locally made Shoes produced by the
Shoe makers among the persons with disability.
In his remarks, the Head of Local Government Administration of Ede South local government, Mr Ekundayo who was represented by the Director of Social Development and Information, Mr Ajewole Lawal commended Gov Ademola Adeleke for his people friendly programs.
He pledged that the local government and it’s people will be committed to the present government in Osun state just as he urged the government to also consider and include persons with disability in employment opportunities and engagement in vocational training and small scale enterprises.
In their sperate goodwill messages, Mr Lateef Adedapo, the representative of the Coordinating Director Ministry of Rural Development and Community Affairs, appreciated the state government for approving the construction of the skill acquisition center for the persons with Disabilities.
The Osun state Chairman of Joint Association of Persons with Disability, Mr Oluwafemi Stephen prayed for the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke to continue to soar higher and higher in its drive to make a positive change for the people.
Voice Air Media recalls that two weeks ago, the state government had commissioned a tye and dye work station, rehabilitated skills acquisition centre for persons with disabilities, distribution of medical materials, mobillty aids to people with spinal cord injury in Testing Ground, Osogbo, the state capital.