Relevant stakeholders have advocated for the effective and full implementation of the Disability Prohibition Law in Osun State.
The need for effective implementation of the law was stressed at the Quarterly Dialogue Meeting with relevant stakeholders, organised by the Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre in Osogbo, the state capital.
Recall that the state governor, Ademola Adeleke had recently signed into law disability bill sponsored by lawmaker representing Obokun State constituency, Adewumi Adeyemi.
At the meeting, various challenges militating against the welfare of persons with disabilities and strategies for effective implementation of discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition Law, 2024 in the state were discussed and stakeholders emphasised that thr right and welfare of the PWDs should not be relegated.
The programme drew participants across five clusters of Joint Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD in the state including those with physical disabilities, sight impairment, hearing impairment, albinism and those with spinal cord injuries.
Speaking during the panel session, the General Coordinator of JDPMC, Rev Fr Peter Akinkunmi, warned religious leaders and public speakers who utter discriminatory statements against persons with disability, saying such attitude should be jettisoned.
Akinkunmi charged the state government not to just sign the bill into law and neglect it, stressing that the implementation of the law should not be delayed.
He also called on the disability communities to rally relevant government stakeholders and take necessary steps to inspire gradual implementation of the law.
The Catholic priest noted that religious leaders should desist from reading negative meanings and conjuring spiritual conjectures against persons with disabilities.
The Chairman of JONAPWD in Osun, Stephen Oluwafemi said the landmark achievement demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to have access to public spaces, education, employment as well as free healthcare.
The lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency, Adewumi Adeyemi, disclosed that the law has empowered JONAPWD to establish bureau to oversea every activity of persons with disabilities, noting that it is an offence for anyone to discriminate against them.
Other speakers including a legal practitioner, Mrs Omolola Richards, who spoke at the event said it is imperative for the government at all levels to intensify efforts and strategic approach through awareness programme, orientations and public enlightenment to ensure strategies for the effective implementation of the law.
They frowned at religious institutions who believe in spiritual interpretation that disability factor occurs as a result of curse on the family and sins that God does not forgive, saying such mentality should be discouraged.
