The Lagos State government, through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), has provided work tools and assistive devices to approximately 50 civil servants with disabilities in the state.
Additionally, 11 individuals received cheques worth N1,100,000 each to purchase prosthetics, enhancing their independence and productivity.
During the official presentation at the STO Resource Centre in Ikeja, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, General Manager of LASODA, highlighted that this initiative—unprecedented in the state—is aimed at empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs), promoting inclusion, and increasing accessibility for state employees with disabilities.
Oyetunde-Lawal shared that over the years, LASODA has received multiple requests from civil servants with disabilities seeking tools to better perform their duties.
She said this presentation is a response to those requests, advancing the vision of empowering PWDs in the civil service.
Oyetunde-Lawal stated: “Today, we are presenting 23 laptops, 9 laptops with speech-assisted software (Freedom Scientific Version 2024) for our visually impaired staff, calipers, and motorized wheelchairs. We also have representatives picking up assistive devices for children with disabilities.”
She continued, “These tools go beyond mere equipment; they are enablers of efficiency, confidence, and dignity. With these items, our colleagues with disabilities will not only perform their tasks with ease but will also contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Lagos State. This initiative also upholds the rights of PWDs, as outlined in the Lagos State Special People’s Law (2011).”
Oyetunde-Lawal emphasized that Lagos State remains a leading employer of PWDs in the country, with a responsibility to continue providing assistive devices and championing inclusive practices both nationally and, hopefully, across Africa.
She reiterated the state’s commitment to promoting equal opportunities, urging the beneficiaries to use the tools responsibly and as instruments of productivity, excellence, and self-reliance.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, added that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s social inclusion agenda, which ensures individuals with special needs are supported.
She remarked, “This administration is working diligently to cater to those with physical challenges in all aspects, and LASODA has been instrumental in addressing these needs.”
She affirmed that the work tools and devices distributed today are a starting point for broader initiatives aimed at enhancing public infrastructure for PWDs.
According to her, the state will begin by focusing on civil servants and extend support to individuals and groups caring for children with special needs.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu and LASODA for providing the tools to enhance their skills and improve their work conditions.