In furtherance of the activities marking his 100 days in office, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke today distributed a multi-million naira worth of mobility aids to 240 selected persons with disabilities across the State.

The mobility aids were given to the persons with disabilities who were drawn from different clusters such as deaf, albino, spina cord and physical disability,among others.

The programme, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Special Needs,held at the Local Government Service Commission Hall, State Secretariat, Abere, was graced by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, Permanent Secretaries, Executive Secretaries, Persons with disabilities and political bigwigs,to mention but a few.

While speaking, Governor Ademola Adeleke mandated the Ministry of Justice to fast track the process of passing disability bills into law so that it could be sent to the State House of Assembly for quick passage,adding that it was imperative for Osun to have the law passed so that people with disabilities too can have a sense of belonging.

He further stressed that the materials distributed is in line with the support of his administration for the people with special needs, adding that the Government has responsibility to support all categories of people for the smooth running of the State, and that he is resolved to attend to all their yearnings.

Governor Adeleke therefore appreciated the people of Osun for the peaceful conduct of the last Saturday State Assembly election, while sympathizing with the family of those who sustained one degree of injury or the other, promising that now that the election is over, the next line of action is to continue with his good works, and make the people enjoy dividends of democracy which they voted for.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, Joint National Association of People With Disabilities, (JONAPWD), Oluwafemi Stephen, the retired first Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Special needs, Dr. Mrs Olayinka Oderinde as well as Mr Kehinde Onitiju appreciated the Governor for recorgnizing persons with disabilities in Osun.

They appealed to government to come to their aids by meeting their demands which included: repartration of sacked PWDs Teachers into classroom, establishment of training institutes for persons with disabilities, provision of operational vehicle, appointment of persons with disabilities into his cabinet,signing the persons with special needs bills into law, promotion and support of special Sports, among others.

They also used the opportunity to invite the Governor to visit Persons with Special Needs Training School.

Earlier in her address of welcome, the Coordinating Director in the Ministry, Mrs Taiwo Oladunjoye observed that the distribution of the aids was a demonstration of the love and commitment of the State helsman to the welfare of the special people in the State.

She commended the Governor for taking keen interest in the general well being of Persons with Disabilities and for the approval of funds for the programme.

She noted that the aids will make life more meaningful to the beneficiaries, help them achieve independence, reduce pain as well as increase their confidence and self esteem. Mrs Oladunjoye therefore appealed to non-governmental organisations and well meaning Philanthropists to partner with the Government in providing social services to the special people in their midst as Government cannot do it alone. She further charged the beneficiaries to appreciate the good gesture of the present administration through their support and cooperation to lift the State to an enviable height.

Among the mobility aids distributed to them were: wheel chairs, guiding canes, bowler caps, tick albino umbrellas, sunscreen cream and soap for the albinos, hearing aids and medical aids for persons with spinal cord injury and a host of others.

The event featured, entertainment by the Osun Cultural Troupe, other individuals and groups, cutting of cake and special prayer for the administration of Governor Adeleke.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed security agencies to arrest any resident who violates the directive on restriction of movement as the House of Assembly election holds tomorrow across the 30 local governments and Area Office.

The press statement signed by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Rasheed Olawale stated that the Governor further tasked the security agencies to enforce previous directive and regulations which required political leaders to stay in their areas after voting instead of moving round towns and villages.

The statement read in part, ” Any resident who breaches the directive on movement restriction should be picked up. Political leaders who patrol around towns and villages during election should desist as security operatives are under directive to stop such movement. Nobody,no matter how highly placed, will be allowed to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the assembly elections.

” I have directed immediate arrest of hoodlums and political thugs statewide. Any leader who harbors such merchants of violence should await the full wrath of the law.

“As a follow up, security agencies have commenced raiding and cleaning up of hotspots and hideouts of criminals across the state. There will be no hiding place for those who are bent on foisting violence on the peace loving people of Osun State.

” This election will be conducted peacefully. I call on Osun people to troop out enmasse to exercise their civic rights. I assure our people of maximum security. We must ensure high turnout. Pick your PVC and exercise your constitutional rights to vote and be voted for”, Governor Adeleke declared.

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has declared tomorrow Friday March 17th as a public holiday.

The public holiday is to enable Osun State residents to travel to their polling units to vote on Saturday for the State House of Assembly elections.

The State Governor further advised residents of the state to be peaceful and law abiding as they prepare for the elections.

“I call on Osun people to file out and exercise their civic rights. This election is very critical as you will be electing lawmakers who will be working with me. You must vote right”, the State Governor was quoted as said.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the Executive Governor