Albino Foundation Advocates to Ministry of Justice on Protection of Persons with Disability

By Abisola Ariwodola, The Albino Foundation has advocated to Osun Ministry of Justice on the need to ensure protection of persons with disability in the state against abandonment, discrimination and violence among others. This was made known by Mr Kehinde Ogunbiyitan, Osun state Coordinator for Disability Inclusion Project during the presentation of the objective of the Disability Inclusion Advocacy Steering Committee to the leadership of the Ministry of Justice at the conference room of the ministry at the government secretariat. He asked that the ministry should step up its support service to persons with disability by providing a desk officer to serve as intermediary between the ministry and guide the categories of physically challenged persons, as well as provision of collapsible or permanent ramp for accessibility to persons with disability who uses wheelchair for mobility.

The Albino Foundation State coordinator also asked that sign language interpreter be used for inclusion of person with disability in the deaf and dumb category, alongside needed services that will provide an enabling environment for this vulnerable persons. Similarly, the Chairman, Disability Inclusion Advocacy Steering Committee, Mr Bukola Idowu who stated that access to justice can not be overemphasized, commended the ministry for the consideration given to persons with disability through the Department of Public Defender, he asked that justice be promptly delivered when needed. He also solicited that the ministry create budget allocation to support persons with disability in the state, and it extend partnership to the agency to protect the rights of persons with disability against all forms of violence. Furthermore, a representative of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, Mr Kehinde Ogunniran who is a member of the steering committee appealed to Osun government through the ministry of justice to speed up the process of the Osun state Discrimination Prohibition Act and make it into law for the benefits of the persons with disability community in the state. In response the Commissioner abd Attorney General for Justice, Mr Femi Akande declared readiness for the ministry to assist the physically challenge community in Osun. The Commissioner represented by the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Mrs Adekemi Bello described the persons with disability as Citizens of Nigeria who has equal rights just as every other Nigerian Citizen, added that Osun government under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola will leave no stone unturned to provide laws and legal services that gives enabling environment to the disability clusters. Members of the ministry and committee at the advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Justice include the Director Public Prosecution Barrister Mrs Folasade Akinruyomu, Mrs Funmilayo Abdullahi, Ms Funmi Adekoya, Mr Nafiu Lukman among others.