The Lagos State Government announced on Wednesday that it has provided financial assistance to special homes and disability cluster groups across the state.
Through the Office for Disability Affairs, the government allocated N500,000 each to nine homes and six cluster groups, aiming to enhance the support for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.
This initiative follows a previous program in which the agency provided N100,000 each to 100 individuals with disabilities just a month ago.
At the event held at the Alausa Secretariat, General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, emphasized that the goal of the funding is to empower caregivers and help them meet the needs of children and individuals with disabilities.
Oyetunde-Lawal stated, “We are here to ensure that we create an environment where we can all thrive. While we cannot provide all the financial support you need, this is just a token of our commitment.”
Looking ahead, she announced plans to support elderly individuals with disabilities over 60 years old, as well as civil servants with disabilities. The agency will also offer assistance to persons with disabilities seeking to register their businesses, providing them with financial literacy training and assistance with acquiring their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificates.
Additionally, Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted other upcoming interventions, including physical and mental support initiatives for children and individuals with disabilities. Notably, she mentioned plans for an interactive quiz competition with special education teachers, the development of a swimming pool in Surulere for special needs children, and tailored neurological check-ups for deaf children to ensure they receive appropriate support.
Rotimi Adeniyi, Chairman of the Physical Clusters, expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, praising the state government for its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. He called for continued support, especially in the area of medical assistance
Beneficiaries of the funding include organizations such as Gilead Initiatives for Persons with Disabilities, Victoria Intellectual Disability, and the Resource Centre for the Blind.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities James Lalu,, recently announced collaboration with the Bank of Industry to provide low-interest credit facilities aimed at improving the livelihoods of persons living with disabilities, addressing the challenges they face in accessing funding.
