1st March, 2018
The Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has urged the people of the State to shun discrimination against Persons Living with Disability (PLWD), stressing that their ability is stronger than their disability.
The Director of OPD, Mrs. Olubukola Salami who spoke at the venue of the “OPD Zero Discrimination Day with the theme, “Say No to Discrimination Against Persons Living with Disability” held at the entrance of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, said that the theme was aimed at informing the citizen of the need to show love and see those living with disability as themselves.
According to her, “we must take all measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including equal access to health, education and recreational services, by Persons Living with Disability to ensure the recognition of their dignity, to promote their self-reliance, and to facilitate their active participation in the State”
While commending the State Government for the establishment of Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) to cater for the needs of Persons Living with Disability, Mrs Salami said that before they have no voice or their views are discounted adding that they are invariably more vulnerable to abuse and violence, their testimony are often ignored or dismissed.
In her words, “in order to ensure all inclusive governance the State Government has established Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) to cater for their needs was established by the Lagos State Special People’s Law. The Law seek to uphold the rights of persons living with any form of disability (PWDs) in Lagos State by safeguarding them against any form of discrimination and giving them equal rights and opportunities.
“OPD is determined to ensure that the Poor, the Physically Challenged, the Pensioners, the Widows and other disadvantaged members of the society who cannot afford the legal fees of Lawyers are not left without necessary support, to make life meaningful to them,” she stated.
She urged the citizenry to stop treating those Living with Disability with pity rather they should be treated with respect and relate with them as one’s brothers/sisters irrespective of any physical challenges the person may have stressing that all human being are equal.
Member of Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Surulere Constituency 1, Desmond Elliot was present at the event as the OPD embarked on a roadshow from National Stadium to Ojuelegbe.
It should be recalled that the OPD was established to provide qualitative and free legal services to the less privileged and vulnerable residents of Lagos State through free representation and offering of free legal services in order to promote mutual respect for individual rights and freedom irrespective of gender, age, sex, tribe, class or religion.