I’ll continue to protect your interest, Oyetola assures PWD

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola has assured Persons with Disabilities (PWD) that his administration will continue to protect their interest.

Oyetola said this during an engagement programme with the members of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Osun Chapter on Thursday in Osogbo.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said his administration is committed to  their welfare, adding that they are important members of the society, who deserve to be well catered for.

The governor said that to show how important the PWDs are, there is an ongoing executive bill tagged “Special People’s Bill” for their protection.

When the bill is passed and signed into law, persons with disabilities will be safeguarded against any form of discrimination as well as have equal access to an environment conducive to social and economic development.

On other intervention programmes, Oyetola said the PWDs were also given priority during the state government’s free monthly food distribution.

The governor noted that a reasonable number of PWDs also benefited from the Community for Social Development Project (CSDP) as well as training at skills acquisition centers built for persons with disabilities in various parts of the state.

On the July 16 governorship election in the state, Oyetola urged them to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote for him for continuity and development as he assured that if re-elected, he would not disappoint them.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the governor on Youths, Sports and Special needs, Aremo Adegboyega Adelabu, said that the ministry is tirelessly working on the Special People’s Bill to encapsulate the PWDs needs.

Adelabu said that the bill, when passed, would establish PWDs Commission for their benefits.

On his part, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Empowerment, Dr Bode Olaonipekun, said the state government had organised several trainings for PWDs with start-up packages.

Olaonipekun urged members of the association to submit their members’ database to assist government to offer them better assistance.

In his response, spokesperson of the PWDs, Mr Sunday Smith, commended the governor for the various social intervention and empowerment programmes given to them.

Smith said the  members of the association are solidly behind the governor who according to him has performed well in all sectors.