World disability day: LASG pledges to uplift standard of disable students
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Olutanti Adebule, has said that the state would continue to uplift the standard and living condition of disabled persons and students in the state, through the establishment of more inclusive schools, provision of learning aids and employment.
Adebule, said this when she joined hundreds of pupils and students living with disabilities to celebrate the 11th International Day for persons living with disabilities at an event organised by the state Ministry of Education, at the Blue Roof, LTV 8, Agidingbi- Ikeja.
The deputy governor said that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all,” was in tandem with the inclusive governance mantra of the administration of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
She noted that in fulfillment of Governor Ambode’s promise to assist people living with disabilities in Lagos State to realise their dreams and live a more comfortable life,
the state government was determined not to leave this huge population of Lagosians at the mercy of alms-givers rather it was determined to integrate and assist them to be self- reliant, to contribute their quota to the socio-economic and political development of the state.
She added that in pursuit of this goal, the Lagos State Government employed 250 physically challenged people into the mainstream of the State and Local Government Service Commission and presented Assistive devices, Vehicles and Empowerment grants to 2,000 PWDs during the year.
She revealed that to increase the number of employable PWDs in the future, the government embarked on mass mobilisation and public enlightenment to have challenged children enrolled in her special and inclusive schools.
Adebule added that enrollment has increased from the 1049 pupils/students in 2015 to 2661 pupils/students while the number of schools have also increased from 29 primary inclusive schools to 31 and secondary inclusive schools increased from 6 to 12.
She said the government was excited that the challenged children are reciprocating the gesture of government by participating in competitions and winning medals.
“Our challenged children won the Gold Medal in Floor Hockey and Medal in Floor Ball at the 2017 Special Olympic Winters Game in Austria,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honour, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, in her goodwill message, urged the challenged people never to feel rejected or dejected as the government of Lagos State was determined to help them achieve their full potentials.
Ini Iwok
