The Lagos State Association of the Deaf has celebrated its 40th anniversary in grand style with a promise to break barriers, change perceptions, and build more robust platforms for an inclusive society.
The occasion also formed part of the association’s activities to mark the year 2024 International Day of Disability.
The 40th anniversary celebration was held at the Old School Event Hall, Lt Gen. Kenneth Executive Hostel Surulere, Lagos, with the theme; “Amplifying the Leadership of Deaf for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
Speaking at the event, a National Assembly member representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, Mr Tokunbo Abiru, said the government of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been running all-inclusive governance that caters for all regardless of their status and People Living With Disability, PWDs are not left out in their respective programmes.
Senator Abiru who was represented by his Legislative aide, Miss Ishaya Patience congratulated the association and affirmed that he has been engaging with PWDs in Lagos state since 2020 when he came on board, stressing for more engagement in the coming years.
“Sometimes some of us get information that we don’t care, it is not so, when duty calls that you have to be on the table, you will be called. But we see your struggle, resilience and inputs that have propelled the administration wheel and we know you are the one driving the change.
“Since we came on board, we always carry along PWDs on all our programmes and today I want to celebrate you and tell you that we know you are here and you are with us. I congratulate all the stakeholders that have been pushing through, forty years is not forty months, congratulations to all the board members and all,” he said.
Addressing concerns
In his remarks, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende eulogised the General Manager Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal for consistently addressing the concerns of the people of her constituency.
While responding to some of the requests and observations of the association members, Ogunlende promised his office will continue to engage those living with physical challenges in the state and get their input and feedback before approving official memos of their concerns that go through him.
According to him “You said that government always remember everybody when it is time for election, you are right and I agree with you but I am here today, it is not because of election.. I am here today because I was invited and the least I can do is to honour that invitation even if I was planning to spend a few minutes, I ended up staying all through. I will continue to work with the GM LASODA to ensure we try our best possible to give you all that you deserve.”
Building potential
The keynote speaker at the event, Dr. Mohammed Adebiyi explained that innovative leadership in deaf community is essential to build and align with the global trend of inclusion in order to sustain a better future for the next generation.
Presenting paper on ‘Leadership Innovation: Strengthening Deaf Leaders for Inclusive Challenges: Past, Present and Future,’ Adebiyi acknowledged that the world has provided the basic knowledge, resources and support to achieve goals through education and the quest for globalization for human growth and lack of exposure and unwillingness by the deaf cluster to reach out for purpose in life have sent them to circles of mediocrity.
He said the deaf community reflect great minded leaders who have brought a paradigm shift to the deaf community, but underestimate their potentials and gave room to limitation and succumb to wishes, decisions and submission of hearing people.
Dr. Adebiyi noted that despite the legal framework put in place to remove barriers and discrimination, deaf people still face diverse challenges in communication, information and access to infrastructures.
He however mentioned that those challenges can be addressed through leadership innovation by capitalizing on advances in technology, new ideas, positive social attitude. legislation, engagement of deaf in leadership programmes, Increased representative in leadership roles and media,
recognition of rights of deaf and their culture.as well as positive Inclusion of deaf people in the society.
Celebrating achievements
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman Lagos State Association of the Deaf, Mr Issac Usman appreciated the stakeholders for their support in the last four decades to ensure the deaf cluster in the state have access to public infrastructure, enjoy equality, and respect regardless of their ability.
Usman said that the celebration is about raising awareness, celebrating achievements, and reinforcing the importance of inclusivity for all persons with disabilities.
He mentioned that members of the Deaf community, have faced countless challenges ranging from harsh economic situations; discrimination; lack of enabling environment to flourish, but stressed that the state government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Office for Disability Affairs have been supportive to ensure their voices were heard.
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