Political leaders of Persons With Disabilities, PWD in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constiruency II have declared their support for frontline aspirant for the House of Representatives, Kehinde Bamigbetan.
Co-ordinated by Temitope Agbabiaka, the member representing PWDs in the Isolo Local Council Development Area chapter of the APC, and Rose Uti, his counterpart in Ejigbo, the interaction between Bamigbetan and the leaders of PWDs was held at the APC secrerariat, Isolo recently.
Addressing members representing PWDs in ward executive committees of the party and cluster heads of the blind, the deaf and albino, Bamigbetan praised Lagos State government for demonstrating inclusion by establishing the Lagos State Office of Disabilities, LASODA and said he served the Ambode administration which set up a N500million DIisability Fund.
He pledged to build on past efforts by launching a PWD transportation programme starting with a bus each in Isolo and Ejigbo council areas for PWDs to reduce the challenges they face in moving around.
He also promised to attract grants from local and foreign donors to support the empowerment of PWDs.
He disagreed with the proposal for segregated schools for PWDs arguing that it would further worsen inferiority complex and make societal integration difficult.
Noting that PWDs are members of communities, Bamigbetan advocated for the provision of social, economic and infrastructural facilities to nurture healthy mutual appreciation betweeen PWD and other citizens.
Bamigbetan pledged to actively engage federal institutions to ensure PWDs have access to available resources, opportunities, and facilities for personal and professional development.
Assuring that he would prioritise their needs, the leading House of Representatives aapirant promised to establish a dedicated desk for PWDs affairs at the constituency office.
He thanked them for the opportunity to engage directly with the PWD community and highlighted his long-standing commitment to the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities, tracing his advocacy back to his time as Chief Press Secretary to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He recalled the foundational role played by the Tinubu administration in prioritizing PWD issues, which led to the establishment of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) by sucxessive government and infrastructure improvements to enhance accessibility.
He emphasised the need to obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and mobilise PWDs to vote for persons who champion cause and agreed to push for the enforcement of the 5% employment quota for PWDs in public service through direct engagement with relevant authorities.
He assured the PWD community of his accessibility and sincerity, promising regular interactions and a separate engagement programme tailored to their needs.
The Chairman of the PWDs in Constituency II, Hon. Agbabiaka commended Hon. Bamigbetan for his patience and genuine interest in their welfare and expressed optimism about the aspirant’s pledges.
