DIRECTORATE OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (PWSN) GOVERNORSHIP AND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL, OYO APC; CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, SEEKS INCLUSIVENESS IN GOVERNMENT.
Every December 3rd, the world celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) across the globe. The annual observance of the day was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. The theme for IDPWP 2022 is; *_Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World_*.
In a statement issued by the Secretary of the Directorate, Mrs Olabisi Adebambo and signed by the Director, Mr Habideen Sodiq Adeyinka and made available to newsmen in Ibadan the state capital; the statement reads “Hurray, it’s yet another opportunity to celebrate our abilities and re-emphasize our inclusion in all ramification of social-political spheres of life. People with disabilities are the most excluded in our society and are among the hardest hit in the current multiple global crises, including in terms of fatalities. These crises are deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing the extent of exclusion and highlight the urgent need for work by governments to address it comprehensively.
To achieve the transformative and innovative solutions that our world needs as enshrined in this year’s theme, those solutions must be inclusive from the start. People with special needs must be involved in decision making policies across various strata of the governments and other relevant organs. You can’t decide for people of “great abilities” without their involvement or behind their back. This means amplifying the roles of People with Special Needs across all aspects of development, including through meaningful engagement and consultations, targeted and inclusive programming and deliberate strategic partnership.
It is in recognition of the above that the APC Oyo state has deemed it fit to create this special directorate to see to our overall affairs and even at our eventual coming to power come 2023. On behalf of the party leadership and all candidates of our dear party in Oyo state, we use this medium to celebrate all persons with special needs and indigene of our dear pacesetter state; Oyo state. It is our believe as a political party that we shall witness more of it.”
The statement further reads “It’s our civic responsibility to vote and elect leaders who are ready to engage with us, recognize our cognitive abilities and put us to proper perspective. Therefore, let have it in mind to put effort to go and collect our permanent voter’s card because this is the only way we can elect the candidates of your choice”.
It is worthy of note that the manifesto of our guber candidate is holistic and all-encompassing in addressing the needs of people with special needs as written in the disability prohibition act.
As against what is currently obtainable in the state, the pains we are facing by the current administration in our state; Using the instrument of office against PWD workers, high level of poverty among people with special needs, lack of proper maintenance in our special schools, injustice among people with special needs most especially in terms of promotion of workers, high level of discrimination in job placement amongst others. We want to assure you that our party, The All Progressive Congress is ready and our governorship candidate Distinguished Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin takes the issues of People with Special Needs with utmost priority. Part of his plans is to have a special agency of government to see to the affairs of people with disabilities. I want to assure you that immediately we get to power, we will hit the ground running. Once again, happy celebration”. The statement concludes.
