……LASODA and UNFPA lead coordinated efforts to mainstream disability rights across sectors
By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has formally inaugurated a Technical Working Committee on Disability Inclusion. The committee is expected to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, development partners, civil society, and the private sector in advocating for and implementing disability-inclusive policies and programmes.
The inauguration, held at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Alausa, brought together a broad range of stakeholders including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), disability advocacy groups, development partners, and private organisations, all united in driving a more inclusive Lagos.
Speaking at the event, LASODA’s General Manager, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, described the committee’s formation as a pivotal milestone in ensuring persons with disabilities (PWDs) are not marginalised in the state’s development agenda.
“This committee is fundamental to our vision of a Lagos where access and equity are guaranteed for all. It is a call for consistency, collaboration, and commitment toward making disability inclusion a standard practice in every sector,” Oyetunde-Lawal emphasised.
She reiterated the unwavering commitment of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration to fairness and inclusiveness, ensuring that no segment of the population is left behind.
The session featured presentations from leading experts, including Disability and Inclusion Analyst Mrs. Laolu Akande, who delivered a keynote on “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Law,” and Barrister Safiu, who unveiled the Terms of Reference for the Lagos State Disability Inclusion Technical Working Group (LSDITWG). The Terms were unanimously adopted during the meeting.
Breakout sessions, facilitated by Dr. Esther Somefun (Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst) and Dr. Adekola (Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Orientation), saw participants form subcommittees focused on strategic planning and implementation to align sectoral efforts with inclusion targets.
Barrister Safiu thanked UNFPA for its ongoing support and applauded the multisectoral engagement that has helped place PWDs at the forefront of policy and governance discussions.
The Technical Working Committee comprises representatives from key government MDAs, disability advocates, development partners, and private sector actors, all committed to advancing disability rights and inclusion in Lagos.
Leave a Reply