As part of the effort to achieve an all-inclusive governance with a level playing field for all citizens and residents of the State, the Lagos State Government has concluded plan to establish Disability Fund in the State.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, during the Year 2016 Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the first year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
She explained that the fund is aimed at empowering and assisting the physically challenged who are presumed “not able” to lead normal lives.
She corroborated the statement of Mr. Steve Ayorinde, State Commissioner for Information and Strategy that the present administration first year anniversary is themed “Ability in Disability”, with focus on People With Disabilities (PWD), which aims to protect disabled persons against all forms of discriminations and equalize their opportunities in all aspect of living in the society.
However, on the dilapidated state of some youth centres in Lagos, the Commissioner stated that Governor Ambode’s administration encourages active inclusion of youths in governance, and that plans are in the pipeline to renovate them in conjunction with corporate organizations as was done at the Onikan Youth Centre which was rehabilitated by Paterson Zochonis (PZ).
She noted further that Lagos State is the first to domesticate the Child Right Law and that the State is planning a review of the Law to include International adoption and other issues that were inadvertently omitted, stressing that adoption is an important matter which is meticulously being handled to avoid the children falling into wrong hands, thus becoming victims of child abuse and trafficking.
According to her, “more than 1,000 applications were received by the State through the Ministry for adoption within the last one year but only 110 were screened and 74 children given for adoption.”