By Bunmi Yekini
The Lagos State Government has once again extended its financial support to homes and disability-focused groups across the state, with the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) distributing ₦500,000 to nine homes and six cluster groups in its latest support initiative.
Speaking at the LASODA office in Alausa, General Manager Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal emphasized that this assistance aims to empower caregivers to better meet the needs of people with disabilities. “We are here to create an environment where everyone can thrive. This financial support is a token, especially for the immediate needs of these caregivers and homes,” said Oyetunde-Lawal, who added that the Sanwo-Olu administration is fully committed to uplifting persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos.
This recent donation follows an earlier disbursement last month, when LASODA provided ₦100,000 to 100 individuals with disabilities. Beyond financial support, Oyetunde-Lawal announced that LASODA has upcoming initiatives, including a program for elderly PWDs and civil servants with disabilities. “In the coming weeks, we will launch initiatives for elderly individuals with disabilities and guide PWDs with business ideas through financial literacy and registration. We want to ensure they’re prepared to access future grant opportunities,” she explained.
In line with creating sustainable support, Oyetunde-Lawal also shared LASODA’s plans to host an interactive quiz for special education teachers and the state’s first “Ability Games” in collaboration with disability experts. She further highlighted a new project focused on providing targeted support for the deaf community. “We’re conducting neurological evaluations for deaf children to understand their specific needs and avoid unnecessary hearing aid distribution. Often, the high cost of servicing these aids leads to their abandonment, so we aim to provide affordable options that families can maintain,” she said.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the state’s ongoing support. Mr. Rotimi Adeniyi, Chairman of Physical Clusters, lauded the government for its proactive measures to improve PWD welfare in Lagos. “This support is invaluable. It shows the commitment of the Lagos State Government to persons with disabilities,” Adeniyi said, while appealing for additional medical resources for the groups.
Among the beneficiaries of the initiative are organizations such as Gilead Initiatives for PWDs, Victoria Intellectual Disability, Resource Centre for the Blind, and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities.