LASG, Irede Foundation seek support for PWDs

The Lagos State Government (LASG) and The Irede Foundation (TIF) has called on corporate individuals and the general public to support Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to live a fulfilled life.

They made the call on Saturday in Lagos at the “Out On A Limb” Walk organised by the foundation to create awareness and raise funds for child amputees to enable them acquire prosthetic limbs and live normal lives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the advocacy walk took place in several locations across the country and beyond.

Speaking at the event in Ikoyi, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Lagos, said that the advocacy walk resonated with the state government’s Theme+ Agenda that ensured that ‘No One is Left Behind”

Ogunlende said that the government  had vowed not to leave anyone behind, irrespective of colour, background or disability because it believed there was ability in disability.

“The government is big on advocacy for PWDs, and frowns at the stigmatisation of any child with disability.

“Additionally, government is intentional and consistent with its advocacy and support for PWDs,” the commissioner said.

Also speaking, Mrs. Adenike Lawal,  General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), noted that the government could not do it alone.

Lawal said that the government was very open for collaboration with partners to advocate for the support of PWDs.

She explained that the government recently began to focus on the provision of assistive devices for PWDs above sixty years old.

According to her, government is intentional in creating an enabling environment where PWDs can occupy leadership positions in the society.

“The Irede Foundation has opened the door for us to partner with them and we are sure the partnership will be tighter as we grow. No amount is too small to donate.

“I hope that this year, we get the support of many corporate organisations to support the advocacy for PWDs.”

She noted that Irede Foundation had expanded its focus beyond the provision of prosthetic limbs for children, to the provision of psychological care for their parents.

Mr. Kunle Akinkugbe, Chairman, Board of Trustees, TIF, said the work the foundation does in providing limbs, advocacy and other empowerment programmes was unbelievable.

Akinkugbe said that the foundation carried out advocacy in schools to fight against the stigmatisation of child amputees.

The Executive Director, TIF, Mrs. Crystal Chigbu, said that the foundation had the ambition of giving out 200 prosthetic limbs to child amputees across the country.

Chigbu said that about 46 prosthetic limbs had already been given out since January, adding that each limb cost about N1.8 million.

She added that the foundation had gone beyond the provision of limbs, adding that it had included the provision of psychological support to the parents of the child amputees.

She expressed gratitude to the LASG and all its partners for believing in what they do and for the support.

Mr. Bassey Aneri, Manager for UPS Foundation, Africa, said that UPS took pride in advocating for PWDs.

“Our belief is that whatever that affects the body doesn’t affect the brain, as such these children should not be bullied, they have a lot to offer and should be given the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

“It is one thing for us to provide limbs and assistive devices for the children, but when they grow up, let us make provision for them to get good jobs,” Aneri said.