The Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, has assured persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ilaje Local Government Area of greater inclusion, empowerment and access to opportunities under the Commission’s programmes.
Poroye gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement with the PWD community at the OSOPADEC Area Office, Igbokoda.
The meeting was attended by members of the OSOPADEC Board and management, representatives of PWDs, the Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs and Persons with Disabilities, and other stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Poroye said his administration recognised the challenges confronting persons with disabilities and would explore practical ways of ensuring that they were not left behind.
He said the requests presented by the association, covering employment, empowerment, healthcare, mobility aids, transportation, education and skills development, were legitimate and deserved attention.
The Chairman said OSOPADEC would review the demands and work with relevant stakeholders to identify areas where the Commission could intervene within its mandate.
He stressed that empowerment must go beyond temporary assistance to create sustainable opportunities for economic independence.
“We have heard your concerns, and we will not treat them with levity. Our responsibility is to ensure that our interventions make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
Poroye also noted that persons with disabilities possess talents and skills capable of contributing significantly to community development when given the necessary support.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs and Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Olufunke Florence Urunne, said the engagement was aimed at identifying the needs of PWDs within OSOPADEC’s mandate areas.
Urunne described persons with disabilities as an important part of society, stressing that meaningful inclusion required collaboration among government, traditional institutions, communities and the beneficiaries.
Presenting the association’s demands, the Secretary of the National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Ilaje, Mrs Folasade Mekuleyi, appealed for greater inclusion of PWDs in government programmes, employment, empowerment and job creation initiatives.
She said many members, including graduates, remained unemployed and needed sustainable livelihood opportunities rather than temporary financial assistance.
Mekuleyi also sought healthcare support, mobility aids such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, canoes and calipers, as well as dedicated transportation for PWDs attending programmes and engagements, including in Akure.
Other requests included scholarships and learning materials for PWDs and their children, skills acquisition programmes, and greater opportunities in sports and recreation.
She stressed that persons with disabilities were not seeking pity but opportunities to become self-reliant.
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