Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of People With Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), Edo State chapter, Melody Omosah, has called on the state government to adequately fund the newly established commission for the persons living with disabilities with the aim of addressing their needs.
He made the appeal in Benin as parts of their demands as they commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
Mr. Omosah said they are happy that the state now boast of a commission that would look after their welfare but that, much needs to be done to make it active and not just having a commission.
“One thing is to establish it, another thing is to allow the commission to work through proper funding and deliberate steps taken to make the commission effective. So, that is the purpose of this road rally this morning”, Omosah said.
Omosah, while speaking on the significance of the day, urged them to look beyond their physical self but their innate qualities adding that, that is the only way they can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the country.
“Persons with disabilities are people that should have dignity. People with disabilities are indeed itself not the real challenge. The real challenge is passivity.
“So, when people with disabilities look beyond their disabilities and give themselves to their innate abilities, they will be able to contribute to society”, Omosah said.
Speaking also, Ann Ojugo, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Edo State chapter, said persons with disabilities should be included in government’s day-to-day policies and that none should be left behind.
“We should be included in every facet of life, any programme the government is doing in the society, in the spirit of leaving no one behind.
“So, it is very important to me that in the office space, we should not be left behind, in employment, we should not be left behind. Anything we do, no one should be left behind. So, it’s it’s a very important”, Ojugo said.
Earlier, chairman, commission for persons with disabilities, Mr. Theophilus Egbodion, commended governor for setting up the commission.
He said it will oversee the needs of those with disabilities in the state.