Monday, November 10, 2025 - The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building an inclusive society where children living with disabilities can thrive.
Speaking at a celebration event for the children, held at
Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday, the General Manager, Lagos
State Office for Disability Affairs, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, said the state
government was working to ensure that all children and adults with disabilities
have access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Oyetunde-Lawal, who was represented by the Director of
Administration and Human Resources, Omolade Sonubi, noted that numerous
initiatives had been developed to empower persons with disabilities and prepare
them for the future.
She expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
for his commitment to the welfare of persons living with disabilities through
his inclusive development agenda.
Reflecting on the theme of the event, “Listen to the
Future,” Oyetunde-Lawal emphasised that Lagos State had already made
significant strides in promoting inclusion and safeguarding the future of
children with special needs.
She said, “The theme is a call for the future, and Lagos
State is already ahead of the future. We have taken bold steps and initiatives
in the past that incorporated the future of these special individuals,
especially with children, their needs, rights to education, civil engagement,
and we have moved to the point of having Lagos State’s special people’s law.
“We are happy that these children’s voices are being heard
globally; they are not being dumped in the house anymore, and this is as a
result of consistent advocacy and with all the clusters, from Down Syndrome to
deaf, blind, and albinism, among others.”
Also speaking, the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and
Orientation at LASODA, Dr Adekola Oluwafunmilayo, stressed the importance of
inclusion and ensuring that children with disabilities have a voice in
policymaking and programme design.
“By listening to them is to ensure that we have to include
them in our planning, our programme and in everything we do so that there will
be an opportunity for them to excel in their endeavours.”
Parents, guardians, and caregivers present at the event
commended LASODA for its efforts in advocating for PWDs.
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