Lagos, Nigeria — Disability rights advocates, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), and philanthropists have called for stronger collaboration among government, private sector organisations, and development partners to advance the inclusion and welfare of persons with disabilities.
The call was made on Thursday in Lagos during the presentation of assistive devices and welfare items to beneficiaries under an intervention funded by the Marlon Oliver family and Mr. Michael Fadeyi, a PhD researcher at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
The intervention, coordinated by the BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM), marked the final phase of a three-part programme aimed at improving access to education, healthcare, and independent living for persons with disabilities.
Speaking virtually, Fadeyi described the initiative as a practical demonstration of commitment to promoting equal opportunities and enhancing the quality of life of persons with disabilities. He explained that the first phase of the programme equipped the Visually Impaired Unit of the University of Lagos Library with industrial computers and screen-reading scanners to improve access to academic materials for blind students.
According to him, the second phase involved the donation of a 20-kilogramme industrial washing machine to the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted to improve student welfare, while the final phase focused on empowering individuals through the distribution of wheelchairs, specialised laptops, talking blood pressure monitors, medications, and other assistive devices.
Fadeyi urged governments at all levels to develop disability-responsive healthcare and social protection programmes that address the unique needs of different disability groups. He noted that persons with disabilities often face higher living costs due to expenses related to transportation, healthcare, and specialised services, increasing their vulnerability to poverty.
He highlighted that persons living with albinism require specialised skincare products, while individuals with cerebral palsy need sustained physiotherapy and rehabilitation. He also called for increased support for caregivers, particularly mothers raising children with disabilities, noting that such support would improve family stability and developmental outcomes.
Fadeyi further urged LASODA to intensify enforcement of the Lagos State Special People’s Law, stressing that disability rights should be treated as legal and human rights rather than acts of charity.
In a goodwill message delivered by the Executive Director of BOFIM, Ms. Blessing Oladunjoye, the Marlon Oliver family reaffirmed its commitment to promoting disability inclusion through sustained investments in education, healthcare, and empowerment.
The family recalled that in 2024 it supported about 20 persons living with cerebral palsy with financial aid and empowerment initiatives, and also provided laptops and funding support to visually impaired female students at the University of Lagos, the University of Ilorin, and the University of Benin.
It added that the current intervention included the donation of a desktop computer and scanner to the University of Lagos Library to further enhance access to learning materials for visually impaired students.
Oladunjoye said beneficiaries also received medications, mobility aids, and other assistive devices to improve independence and overall well-being, expressing confidence that the intervention would make a lasting impact.
Also speaking, Dr. Oluwafunmilayo Adekola, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Orientation at LASODA, commended the donors and BOFIM for complementing government efforts.
She noted that while the Lagos State Government remains committed to implementing the Lagos State Special People’s Law, it cannot meet the growing needs of persons with disabilities alone, stressing the importance of strategic partnerships.
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Adekola urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the donated items to improve their health, productivity, and quality of life, while conveying the appreciation of the LASODA General Manager to the donors.
Beneficiaries and other stakeholders described the intervention as a significant step toward building a more inclusive and accessible society, expressing gratitude for the continued support toward improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
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