On Wednesday, the Lagos State Government unveiled a financial aid initiative aimed at supporting special homes and disability cluster groups across the state. This initiative, coordinated through the Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), consisted of grants of N500,000 awarded to nine special homes and six disability-related groups, highlighting the state’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of individuals with disabilities. This funding comes just a month after a previous distribution of N100,000 each to 100 individuals with disabilities, showing a sustained effort to tackle the unique challenges faced by this segment of the population.
The General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, explained that the primary motivation behind the initiative was to empower caregivers, who play a crucial role in the lives of children and individuals with disabilities. During her remarks at the Alausa Secretariat, Oyetunde emphasized that the financial support was intended to help caregivers meet the essential needs of those under their supervision. By providing these funds, the government hopes to cultivate an environment in which individuals, regardless of their abilities, can achieve a better quality of life through improved care and services.
Beyond immediate financial relief, Oyetunde revealed plans for future assistance aimed specifically at elderly individuals with disabilities over the age of 60, as well as civil servants in similar circumstances. LASODA is also set to introduce programs that focus on entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities, which includes offering financial literacy training, guidance on taxation, and assistance with registering businesses to secure their Certificates of Incorporation (CAC). This approach represents a proactive strategy to empower people living with disabilities economically and ensures they can capitalize on available grants.
The agency is also working on additional initiatives to address the physical and mental needs of individuals with disabilities. Oyetunde announced plans for an interactive quiz event involving special education teachers, which aims to engage students in a supportive environment. Furthermore, LASODA is planning to develop an Ability Games program in collaboration with experts and has taken steps to establish a swimming pool in Surulere. Recognizing the therapeutic benefits of swimming for special needs children, these initiatives demonstrate a commitment to holistic support for this vulnerable group.
When addressing the contributions of the state government, Rotimi Adeniyi, the Chairman of the Physical Clusters, expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries for the ongoing support aimed at enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. While commending the government’s efforts, he also advocated for additional assistance, particularly in areas such as medical support, which is vital for the holistic well-being of these groups. Notable beneficiaries of the recent financial aid include organizations like Gilead Initiatives for Persons with Disabilities and the Resource Centre for the Blind, underscoring the government’s outreach to various facets of the disability community.
On a broader scale, the national discourse around financial assistance for individuals living with disabilities continues to gain traction. Earlier in May, James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, announced an initiative to collaborate with the Bank of Industry in providing low-interest credit facilities targeted at persons with disabilities. His remarks during the launch of the Strengthening Access to Business Education and Inclusion-Woman project in Lagos highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve financial accessibility, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of individuals with disabilities, who frequently encounter obstacles when seeking funding. Together, these initiatives signify a collective movement towards establishing a more inclusive society for all.
