August 27, 2023

In line with the policy of inclusion of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration under the THEMES PLUS agenda, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), has promised to deepen government policy of inclusion for Persons With Special Needs.

The State government made the promise at a special event to celebrate children with disabilities and give them a sense of belonging.

The event which had in attendance children with disabilities from different Homes, Schools and Special Needs Training Centres, took place at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, as part of activities to mark the year 2023 Children’s Day with Special Needs Children.

The General Manager of LASODA, Mr. Oluwadamilare Ogundairo, while addressing participants at the event, stated that the consistency of the annual event gives credence to the policy of inclusiveness by the State Government where every child regardless of disability status matters.

He expressed the belief that as much as children without special needs celebrate some special days and events, it is also important to extend a sense of belonging to children with special needs by creating platforms of social interactions for them as well.

He said, “It’s just a testimony of the commitment of the Lagos State Government to the THEMES+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in a way to leave no one behind including a child”.

He added that Lagos has over the years distinguished itself in terms of inclusive governance by ensuring that everyone, including the vulnerable and persons with disabilities, feels the dividends of the investment of the government not just in the infrastructure but also in the social development of the people, including people with special needs.

Ogundairo revealed that as part of the celebration, the children would receive gift items from the State Government and would also take some of the gift items to their colleagues in their various schools and special needs homes.

Also speaking at the event, the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Bisola Olufolajimi who spoke on the topic: “Embracing the Future Generation Through Hygiene”, underscored the need for a higher level of hygiene for children with special needs, stressing that one of the ways to protect children from incessant illnesses is to cultivate good hygiene practice.

“Health is wealth and hygiene is life. You are as clean as your life is, or the length of your life will be. We have enlightened people here today on how children with disabilities should be kept safe via cleanliness at home, school, or at the centres.

“We need to ensure that the areas they are kept are clean and protected from germs and bacteria which can cause infection and invariably death, because, children with disabilities only tend to live longer and healthier in a safe environment.”

She commended LASODA for organising the event, saying all relevant stakeholders must complement the efforts of the State Government in raising public awareness about the needs of children with disabilities, especially in making a case for their health and wellbeing.

One of the participants at the event who also has a child with special needs, Mrs. Oluchi Francis said that it takes extra effort and attention to care for children with special needs as they rely majorly on being assisted by either their caregivers or parents to do certain things for them.

According to her, every child with disabilities needs support and must be catered for in terms of oral hygiene, food nutrition, and medication, among others and all these do not come cheap, hence the need for financial support and interventions from both the government and the general public.