…Presents cheques of N76m to schools of Special Needs Children
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has said the State Government has supported the Osun Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) with over N500 million.
Moreover, he presented cheques of over N76million to the Special Needs Children schools and physically challenged in Osun State.
The Governor presented the cheque of N14,617,700 to St. Philip special school, Iloro, N14,823,380 to School for Special Needs Children, Ikirun.
Others are; ST. Phillips for special needs children, Ife-East, N13,817,700 and School Of Special Needs Children, Modakeke got N14,953,106 among beneficial groups under the umbrella of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) in the State.
Adeleke was represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi on Friday at the project launching and presentation of cheques to Persons with Disabilities groups for socially inclusive micro projects held at the School For Pupils With Special Needs, Osogbo.
The Governor stated that his government is committed to ensure enable environment for the people with disability in the State.
He noted that there is ability in disability, as be charged the society to embrace and provide necessary support them to enable them unleash their potentials to contribute their quota to national growth and development.
He commended the leadership of the JONAPWD in Osun for creating a platform that resist their members from becoming street begars.
According to him, “This administration has resolved to constantly mobilise resources to enable the intervention of Osun CSDA to better the lots of rural communities, the vulnerable groups inclusive, while the requirements of the World Bank are regularly being met for continuous assistance of the Bank.
“This administration has supported Osun CSDA with over N500million Naira for the implementation of multi-sectoral and socially inclusive micro projects under World Bank Assisted Osun CARES DLI 1.4. Hence, the Project Launch of today. And this no doubt, is just a tip of an iceberg.
“Let me reiterate that access issues for person with disability as far as I am concerned have greater importance over that of the general community because they are more vulnerable than the rest of us.
“Therefore, the implementation of projects identified by the groups as their priority projects will in no small measure make life more meaningful to them after successful implementation.”
However, the General Manager of Osun Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) Bose Abokede commeded Govenor Adeleke for providing the enabling environment for the agency to empower Persons with Disabilities focusing on their capabilities and not on their disabilities.
Abokede said, “Today’s event is an evidence based mainstreaming of disabilities into development and this will distinguish and make Osun State a role model of building inclusive society and giving voice to the voiceless.
“The State Government of Osun is willing and committed to ensuring social inclusion by funding 24 socially inclusive micro projects for persons with disabilities.
“May I congratulate the entire benefiting groups that are to be presented with their cheques today by Mr Governor for the implementation of Micro projects that will bring succour and impact positively on human development,” she added