Stakeholders in the provision of healthcare services and social protection programmes in Ondo State have expressed readiness to synergize towards advancing the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) through the enactment of a disability legal framework and inclusive services.
This commitment was made during a public dialogue meeting and the presentation of an assessment report on access to quality healthcare and inclusive social protection for PWDs in Ondo State, organized by Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI) with funding from Disability Rights Fund (DRF)
Held at Royal Bird Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, the event, which featured panel sessions, had in attendance representatives of the Ministries of Health, Budget and Economic Planning, Women Affairs, and Youths; including the State Coordinating and Operating Unit (SOCU) of Social Protection Programmes; Ondo State Law Commission; Civil Society Organizations; the Agency for the Welfare of Persons With Disabilities; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps; and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
Represented by the Director of Social Services in the State Ministry of Women Affairs, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Osamaye, reiterated the commitment of the Aiyedatiwa-led administration to the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
The Focal Person for SOCU, Mr. Bankole Olaoluwa, advocated for a special social protection scheme for PWDs, noting that the existing Social Protection Programme gives equal attention to all vulnerable groups captured in the social register, without specific focus on any particular group. According to him, a society is considered civilized by the way it treats and cares for its vulnerable groups. He further recommended the involvement of PWDs in decision-making processes to achieve inclusive services.
On his part, a representative of the CSOs, Mr. Alo Martins, expressed readiness to collaborate in championing the cause of PWDs in the state. He advised synergy between stakeholders and PWD groups to design programmes that would enhance the living standards of PWDs in alignment with international disability law.
Also speaking, the representative of the State’s Law Commission, Barr. Ogunnowo Oloruntosin, opined that if individuals could empathize with PWDs, there wouldn’t be a need to agitate for a legal framework for their protection.
According to him, if the already existing human rights laws are effectively implemented, the rights of PWDs are automatically protected. He also expressed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the disability legal framework, once enacted in Ondo State, would be thoroughly implemented and that perpetrators of violence against PWDs would be duly sanctioned.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, which is the coordinating ministry for social protection programmes, assured of increased efforts to provide inclusive social protection interventions, including a review of the Social Protection Law to accommodate the needs of PWDs. He affirmed that the ministry has always involved PWD groups in annual meetings, where their views are gathered in preparation for the next budget.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director of DINABI, Mr. Funso Olajide, noted that the project was funded by the Disability Rights Fund to advance the rights of PWDs and facilitate the enactment of a legal framework for their protection.
He stated that DINABI had successfully achieved this in all the Southwest states, including Ekiti state where the National Disability Act has been domesticated, expressing confidence that Ondo would not be an exception.
The Chairman of the Agency for the Welfare of Persons With Disabilities, Princess Folasade Arise, appreciated DINABI for extending the project to Ondo State. She highlighted the state government’s interventions for the welfare of PWDs, including the health insurance scheme that provides free healthcare services.
