OPD URGES LAGOSIANS TO SHUN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST  PLWD

Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) has urged 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 Office of the Public Defender, Mrs. Olubukola Salami who spoke at the National Stadium Surulere venue of the OPD Zero Discrimination Day themed, “Say No to Discrimination Against Persons Living with Disability” said the campaign was organised to inform the citizenry of the need to show love for people Living with Disability.

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 facilitate their active participation in the State”.

Mrs. Salami affirmed that the Office for Disability Affairs was set up by Lagos State Government to cater for and safeguard PLWD from violence and discrimination.

In her words, “In order to ensure all-inclusive governance, the State Government established Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) to cater for their needs. The Law seeks 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, noting that all human beings are equal in the eyes of GOD.