….as disability community endorses governor for second term
The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has assured the citizens living with disabilities that their security and welfare will be accorded premium priority, saying nobody will face any form of oppression, molestation and abuse on account of infirmity in the state.
Oyebanji gave the assurance, on Wednesday, while declaring open the 3rd edition of the southwest Deaf Arts and Culture Festival, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Centre, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital organised by the Association of the Deaf.
Besides decorating Oyebanji and the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji with distinguished awards of honour, the association endorsed the governor for second term, for his solid backing for the members of the group and those living with disabilities in the state.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, promised that under his leadership, the disability community will neither be oppressed nor discriminated against in terms of appointments, employments and other social inclusion.
To actualise the following, Oyebanji posited that laws have been institutionalized by the government to give them protection against molestation, deprivation and harassment by anyone, while appropriate legislations had also been put in place to accord them recognition.
Oyebanji revealed further that through the backing of the world bank powered Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), adequate facilities have been provided in all special schools to ensure that those living with disabilities can acquire the requisite skills and education to operate under a complex 21st century economy.
“To Underscore our love for arts, we have taken step by converting the personal house of a renowned artist and wood carver, Chief Olowe in Ise Ekiti into a modern Museum. The mission behind this was to preserve the good works he rendered to promote Arts. Our good works also resonated in the stand to make some of the cultural sites, particularly the Ogun Onire Groove in Ire Ekiti an international tourist attraction site that can boost local economy and generate IGR for the state.
“The most enduring and flagship of Governor Oyebanji’s exploits in Arts and Culture was the Adire Ekiti Hub, being championed by the office of First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji. This centre has trained hundreds of Ekiti citizens in local fabric production to enhance our economy, besides the fact that it has started rejigging the Arts sector and launching Ekiti to national reckoning as a centre where exemplary actions were being taken to promote local crafts.
“Let me assure you that nobody will be discriminated against in terms of economic benefits on account of physical disabilities. You have been captured as part of the citizens who should enjoy the dividends of democracy and they shall get to you. I commend you for thinking outside the box to organise this programme to complement the government’s roadmap for Arts and Culture development”.
In his submission, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Razak Ojo Bakare, pledged the support of the state government to the success of the festival, saying Oyebanji’s administration is prepared to offer technical support to them in the 2025 fiesta.
Bakare said the deaf community, just like other people within the disability space are seriously encumbered and challenged in the society, stating that the nation will be losing the vibrant creative energies of members of the group, if they are not mainstreamed and harnessed for the survival of the country.
“We are going to include this community in the EKIFEST 2024 to give them recognition and to display their talents. Governor Oyebanji is governing Ekiti without excluding anyone and we are ready to key into this dream”.
Describing the deaf community as special and unique, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, disclosed that the festival was a celebration of Nigerian diversity and a veritable platform to further promote the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Agboola stated that the deaf’s Arts and Culture Festival vividly showcased how relevant the deaf community was to the socio-economic development of the nation and the social respect they had earned in the country’s political space.
“As part of the ways to promote sign language and inclusion of the deaf disability, Governor Oyebanji asked us to organise a training for all the civil servants , so that they can communicate with the deaf, especially those who work in the civil service. This signalled that they are useful to the society and the government recognises this.
“You can’t underestimate their contributions. They are everywhere within the economic spheres making their positive impacts felt. So, I appeal to our people to imbibe the deaf culture of sign language, so that we can effectively interact with them to boost their social inclusion and recognition”.
Rationalising the governor’s endorsement , the Southwest Chairman, Association of the Deaf, Mr. Suleiman Akinremi, said the action was taken because Oyebanji was incurably committed to socio-economic and political emancipation of those with disabilities, by initiating policies that promote their wellbeing .
Akinremi disclosed that he was impressed by the good testimonies he heard about Governor Oyebanji, especially for enacting laws and policies that removed all the socio- economic and political barriers pummeling his members to give them respect, social inclusion and recognition.
Other high profile dignitaries at the event are: the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habitat Adubiaro, the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, Chairman of Ekiti State Association of the Deaf, Mr. William Isaac, top government functionaries, traditional rulers, market men and women, youth groups, among others.
Last modified: August 2, 2024