RENEWED HOPE FOR THE DISABLED INITIATIVE CALLS FOR COMPETENT LEADERSHIP AT ONDO STATE DISABILITY AGENCY
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RENEWED HOPE FOR THE DISABLED INITIATIVE CALLS FOR COMPETENT LEADERSHIP AT ONDO STATE DISABILITY AGENCY
The Renewed Hope for the Disabled Initiative (REHFODI) a leading registered advocacy group for persons with disabilities has urged the Ondo State Government to appoint a competent and qualified individual from disability group to head the State Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities
In a statement issued at the weekend during a meeting with some disability groups in Ondo State, the organization emphasized the importance of experienced and empathetic leadership in ensuring that the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities are adequately protected and promoted.
The group stressed that the Agency plays a pivotal role in policy implementation, empowerment programs, and inclusion efforts across the state.
“We strongly believe that appointing a capable leader who understands the challenges faced by persons with disabilities will enhance the Agency’s effectiveness”.
The statement reads, “This is not just a political appointment, it’s a lifeline for thousands of persons with disabilities who depend on the Agency for support and advocacy.”
REHFODI called on the government to involve stakeholders in the selection process and prioritize individual with both technical expertise and a deep commitment to disability rights.
Citing section 8(1) of the official gazette of the Agency which empowers the Agency the authority to ‘draw up policies and programmes to enhance the general welfare of Persons with Disabilities in the State’.
The spokesperson for the organization, Mr. Titus Poolson, who is a member of the Trustee is appealing to Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to appoint competent person to spearhead the Agency so that there will be more better welfarism for disability community especially under the Renewed Hope and EASE agenda of both Federal and State government respectively.
The appeal comes amid ongoing agitations from the Disability community to get involved in the process of presenting a competent and resourcesful person to the governor for consideration for appointment so that the agency which was established about 13 years ago can do what it is mandated to do.
“We need urgent actions from the Agency in the State’s approach to social protection services, job opportunities, accessible healthcare services, and inclusions in all areas of life, and we believe that working in partnerships with civil society organizations will play major roles in achieving these targets but the agency has been working in isolation ever since its establishment and this has been responsible for its low administrative impacts in the lives of Persons with Disabilities”.
“Lots of relevant stakeholders which ought to be working with the Agency including the media in proferring workable solutions to numerous challenges facing disability community have no or little knowledge about the existence of the Agency in the State, and this is as a result of the incompetency by the Head of the Agency in promoting good cordial public relationships to know what the office stand for and the objectives of establishing them”.
“We believe in Aiyedatiwa’s led administration and that he will listen to the yearnings and aspirations of disability community to appoint someone with vast experience in civil society space and competency who can patner and annex various opportunities or resources globally in line with partnership drives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of year 2030”.
“It is our prayers as an organization that this appointment will mark a turning point in addressing long-standing challenges within the disability community and creating a favourable atmosphere for collaborations by various stakeholders”.
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