By Aderonke B.M Nwanga
State of Osun Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola today commissioned the socially inclusive micro projects to celebrate international day of persons with disabilities.
The commissioning of the socially inclusive micro projects will empower the children with special needs to focus on their capabilities and not on their disabilities.
The micro projects includes the Braille press Centre for the Blind: the press centre will enable the blind groups read in their own way; Hostel for Girls with Disabilities, Fencing of School of Children with Special Needs and Six Tricycles for the Physically Challenged group in order to aid easy transportation.
The projects were implemented by Osun Agency for Community and Social Development Project (Osun-CSDP) in conjunction with the World bank.International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated yearly and the 2019 theme is “promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 development agenda”.
Mrs Abokede Aderonke Funmi, General Manager, Osun Agency Community and Social Development Agency pointed that the aim of Disability Day is to encourage a better understanding of persons affected by Disabilities, hence the effect of the declaration by the United Nations to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities every 3rd of December.
The State of Osun on the other hand, has successfully supported the course by empowering persons with disabilities and mainstreamed disabilities into development by focusing on issues that affects them.
“The successful mainstreaming of disabilities into development has distinguished State of Osun as a role model for building inclusive society and giving voice to the voiceless” Mrs Abokede Funmi said.
She extolled the Governor Mr Adegboyega Oyetola who has provided the enabling environment for Osun CSDP in empowering vulnerable groups to be out of poverty. “As a matter of fact, the central part of the policy of the State Government of Osun as enshrined in the State of Osun Development plan is social inclusion” she said.The State of Osun with collaboration with the World Bank through Osun CSDP has committed One hundred and Nine million, Three Hundred and Seventeen thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Fuve Naira ( 109, 317,855.00) for 48 socially inclusive micro projects, including the four (4) been commissioned today.
The Governor Mr Adegboyega Oyetola gave his assured support to the people living with disabilities in the state. He promised to facilitate programs and projects that will be impactful and innovative towards the people with special needs.
Mr Governor affirmed that the central policy of Osun Development Plan is to be socially inclusive. He added that humanity is one and appealed to residents of the state to relate with people living with disabilities equally.