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SOCU PLEDGES COLLABORATION WITH DINABI, JONAPWD
As Coordinator, Olaoluwa Bankole, Esq assures Inclusive Social Protection in Ondo State
The Ondo State Operations Coordinating Unit has demonstrated readiness to collaborate with Disability Not a Barrier Initiative (DINABI) and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) to ensure adequate representation of People Living With Disabilities in the State Single Register.
The State Coordinator, Olaoluwa Bankole Esq, gave assurance of SOCU’s readiness while playing host to DINABI and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in his office in Akure.
Welcoming the delegation, the State Coordinator SOCU appreciated their coming to foster an enduring relationship as SOCU is open to collaboration that bothers on the welfare of PWDs in the state.
Bankole affirmed that the core mandate of SOCU has always accommodated the interest of PWDs as they are believed to be vulnerable.
“The mandate is to establish/expand Ondo State Single Register of Poor and Vulnerable in the state across all communities in the 18 Local Government Areas”, he disclosed.
He stated that the National Social Safety Net Office (NASSCO) in Abuja, which is provides oversight on SOCU, has always had the interest of PWDs at heart and is ready to ensure that they have fair representation in the Social Register.
While assuring them of SOCU’s readiness to collaborate with them, he affirmed that he will always inform them once there is expansion of the Social Register and he urged them to always sensitize their people ahead of the field exercise to come out and project their interest.
Mr Olajide Olafunso, earlier in his remarks, appreciated the warm reception from SOCU and commended the office for giving space for such an opportunity.
Olafunso informed that Disability Not a Barrier Initiative (DINABI) has been working in several states across Nigeria. “In Ondo state, we are presently working on a project focusing on advancing the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWD) to quality health care and inclusive social protection.”
In his words, “It is that aspect of the inclusive social protection that has necessitated our visit to SOCU.”
Acknowledging the good works SOCU has been doing in terms of getting persons with disabilities on board as far as social protection is concerned in the state, Olafunso said there’s a need for DINABI and JONAPWD to work together with SOCU to ensure that persons with disabilities are adequately captured in the Social Register.
The Director disclosed that “over the last few months, we’ve been carrying out a baseline survey to assess the level of inclusion of PWDs in social protection programs in Ondo State.”
The report of this survey, he said, will be presented publicly to all stakeholders at the forthcoming Public Dialogue meeting.
He maintained that PWDs don’t appreciate when things are done for them out of pity, but “let there be a structured process that accommodates PWDs and their interest is taken care of considering peculiarities of disabilities”
Mr Abiodun Samuel Oluwasegun, Chairman JONAPWD, in his remarks appreciated the one-of-a-kind hearty welcome received from SOCU and implored that that privilege be given to them to sensitize JONAPWD community ahead of every of their exercise.
In her vote of thanks, Mrs Busayo Ademeko the Women Leader JONAPWD, equally commended SOCU. ” We love how we have been received here and we rest assured that with this, we expect a sustainable working relationship”, she concluded.
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