The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for an increased love, care and inclusivity for people living with disabilities.
The Governor who spoke in Ilorin at a mega rally to commemorate the International Day of People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), said they also deserve every support to excel and be fulfilled in life.
The rally was put together by the renowned comedian and CEO of Olatunji Atanda Films Production, Yahya Habeeb Olatunji popularly called Baba Kamo.
“As you all know, our administration does not discriminate in what we do. We treat the PLWDs well like their abled counterparts. And they are part of our government. I encourage the public to continue to show them love and care as we live together.
“PLWDs are sound, intelligent and special to us. They contribute well to this administration. So I want everybody to embrace and appreciate these people. When you find them around you, appreciate them rather than discriminate,” the Governor said.
The Convener, Yahya Habeeb Olatunji (Baba Kamo), said he organized the programme to change the wrong perception about PLWDs and to tell people to accept and treat them well.
He said, as an advocate of a better life for PLWDs, he is set to launch a movie, titled; “Moyomi”, that he said focuses on some of the challenges facing PLWDs in society, and to convey a message to the World that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
“We are doing this walk to stop the stigma against people living with disabilities and also we want to re-orientate our society and change people’s perception about these people. We want people to know that most of these disabilities are not contagious. We want society to start seeing abilities in them, not disabilities,” he said.
“We want our society to focus on what they can do, not what they cannot do. We want to encourage the whole world that people living with special disabilities need to be treated well. They also have dreams, they also have visions and purposes the same way we without disabilities have.”
Abdulkadir Bilikis Abolore, a physically impaired participant, expressed joy with the sensitization campaign and appreciated the organizer for creating for them a sense of inclusion.
“I feel great, honoured and included. I appreciate Baba Kamo (organizer) for deeming it fit to celebrate with us. There are a lot of people out there who don’t even care about us. So we thank him and pray to God to continue to bless and uplift him.
“People need to stop looking down on us. We need love, inclusion and the opportunities to make our voices heard. I also urge parents to stop hiding their children because they are disabled. These children can become important in their lives. They have the right to education and a good life. Let them bring them out and show them love,” she said.
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