By Gbenga Ojikutu
As the world celebrates the 2024 International Wheelchairs Day, the Ekiti state chapter of the National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) has urged the state government to implement the law that mandates minimum accessibility standard code for the environment and public space and facilities.
They also demanded that the government should enforce the building code and accessibility standard and reject any new building that does not meet the criteria.
The Ekiti state NAPWPD chairman, Mr Bakinde Olaosebikan, made these requests at the conference hall of the governor’s wife’s office in Ado Ekiti, where some Physically challenged persons received free wheelchairs to simplify their mobility, just as the event also included road walks and goodwill messages.
Mr Olaosebikan explained the importance of International Wheelchairs Day, which is meant to celebrate, raise awareness and advocate for the accessibility and support of people on Wheelchairs around the world.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his wife, the SA on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs Adetoun Agboola, the SSA on Disability Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Obanise and others for their efforts on the issues of persons living with disabilities in Ekiti.
Mr Olaosebikan specifically praised Governor Oyebanji for his various initiatives, such as the rehabilitation of the special schools, the prioritisation of PWDs’ health, the distribution of palliatives and other welfare programmes, pledging the continuous support of the PWDs to his administration.
He advised his colleagues not to lose their dignity by begging, but to use their skills to achieve greatness in society.
In her remarks, the Ekiti state governor’s wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, who was represented by the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Advocacy and Public Affairs, Dr Eunice Fasanmi, congratulated the PWDs in the state for celebrating another International Wheelchairs Day.
She said the state government recognised the vital role of wheelchairs for the mobility of PWDs, and that was why it provided free wheelchairs.
Dr Oyebanji assured the PWDs in Ekiti that the government would continue to make life easier for them and called on the society to join the government in removing the obstacles that hinder the movement and progress of the PWDs in society.
On her part, the Special Adviser to the governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs Adetoun Agboola, also emphasised the need to give wheelchairs to the PWDs who have mobility challenges while assuring them of Governor Oyebanji’s unwavering support.
Mrs Agboola listed some of the empowerment and welfare programmes that the state government has put in place to improve the lives of the PWDs.
She however cautioned the recipients of the free wheelchairs not to sell them, with a promise that those who have not received theirs would soon get them.
The state chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, (JONAPWD), Mr Familusi Tokunbo and the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Disability Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Obanise appreciated the Ekiti state government for prioritising the welfare of the PWDs.
They equally appealed to the well-to-do individuals in the society to always show love and kindness to the PWDs in their areas.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe and the Special Adviser to the governor on Rural Mobilisations, Mrs Oluremi Babinton, in their goodwill messages, described the celebration and distribution of free wheelchairs to the PWDs on International Wheelchairs Day as a unique and commendable gesture in Ekiti state.
They however implored the PWDs in the state not to fail in recognising Governor Oyebanji’s efforts on matters concerning their welfare
