Lagos Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Kasunmu Speaks on Emerging Issues In Disability Advocacy: THE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

*EMERGING ISSUES IN DISABILITY ADVOCACY: THE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS*
_(Being The text of Hon. (Prince) Adedamola Richard Kasunmu’s Keynote Remarks At the Launch Of DAKOFA FOUNDATION in Lagos on Saturday 17th August 2024)_

Protocols:

Our super ranking parliamentarian and advocate of the people, Hon. Abiodun James Faleke, ably represented.

The Executive Chairman, Ojodu LCDA, my own brother, Hon. Segun Odunmbaku, ably represented.

HRM Oba Alayeluwa Akeeb Eweobaja Agbaosi

My own mother, mentor, worthy adviser, amazing leader, former Sole Administrator of Ojodu LCDA and the able Chairman of our party, the APC, Ojodu LCDA, Alhaja Chief Mrs Stella Olusola Kokumo, who also doubles as the mother of the host of today’s event. I salute your courage, Ma.

All Apex Leaders present,
All Party Chairmen and EXCOs present.
All Traditional, Religion, Political, and Community Leaders across board.

Leaders of the PLWDs6 Community present.

The Chief Hostess of today’s event and CEO of DAKOFA Foundation, my own sister, Damilola Kokumo Fayoyin.

Ladies and Gentle Men of the Press.

Permit me to stand on all existing protocols.

Before I continue in my remarks, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the immediate and political families of one of our leaders in Ojodu, Barr. Yomi Tijani, who went to be the Lord yesterday.
May God grant us the strength to bear this loss, and may God be with his family and children. Amen

Can we stand up as we observe a minute silence for him.

May his soul rest in peace.

It gives me great pleasure to be in your midst this morning to witness this historic event.

I am always excited when I see young people in our society making efforts to create positive impacts in our communities.

On this note, I want to congratulate the brain of this initiative, Damilola Kokumo Fayoyin, on this innovative idea set up to ameliorate the plights of special people living with disabilities in our society. I am happy with your visions and courage, and I wish you maximum success.

Dammy, i am not surprised about what you are doing, Yoruba says, “Omo ti Ekun baabi, Ekun lonjo.”

Your mother, our mother, is Lioness! She is a courageous woman. She is a thinker and a leader in every sense of the word. So we are happy that you have taken after her to contribute your quota to society. Once again, congratulations.

I will be speaking briefly on what I titled:

*EMERGING ISSUES IN DISABILITY ADVOCACY: THE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS*

What are the emerging issues in Disability?
I will be focusing on 7 major contemporary issues on disabilities and how to resolve them.

1. *Inclusion and Accessibility:*
One of the main issues affecting people living with disabilities in Nigeria is the problem of exclusion. Another one is a lack of access to public facilities.
The time has come to create an inclusive society where people with disabilities have equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and social opportunities. We must give kudos to the Lagos State House of Assembly, which synergized with the Lagos state government to enact the law that created the Lagos State Office of Disability (LASODA).
In the last couple of years, LASODA has done tremendously well in attending to the needs of PLWDs across the state.
The law, which makes it mandatory for the heads hip of LASODA to be a PLWD, came into effect during my tenure as the Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development. The pioneer chairman was Dr. Awelenje, who is PLWD himself.

To make this more effective, the LASODA success can be replicated across all local governments.

2. *Empowerment and Independence*: We also need to highlight the need to empower people with disabilities to take control of their lives, make their own decisions, and live independently.
It may interest you to know that, during my tenure as the Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development of Lagos State House of Assembly, in 2016 under the then Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, An Executive Bill creating the Disability Trust Fund under the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) was enacted into Law.

Not only that, in the budget of that year, I made sure that the sum of N500M appropriated for the Disability Trust Fund was fully utilized.

3. *Breaking Stereotypes and Stigma*: We also need to challenge negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding disabilities, promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding.

4. *Education and Employment Opportunities*
Also, the importance of providing equal access to quality education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities can not be overemphasized.

5. *Healthcare and Rehabilitation*: There is also the need for accessible and affordable healthcare services, including rehabilitation programs, to support people with disabilities.

6. *Policy and Advocacy*: To address these issues, we need stronger policies and advocacy efforts to protect the rights of people with disabilities and ensure their full participation in society.

7. *Partnership and Collaboration*: Finally, we need to encourage collaboration between organizations, government agencies, and individuals to support the mission of the NGO such as DAKOFA FOUNDATION and create a more inclusive society for people with disabilities.

On our part as legislators, we shall continue to make laws that promote the rights, empowerment, and inclusion of people living with disabilities in Lagos state. Hopefully, other states will catch up as usual.

Thank you so very much. Enjoy the rest of the program.

I remain yours sincerely
Hon.(Prince) Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, also known as ARK.
Deputy Majority Leader,
Lagos State House of Assembly.