The Lagos State Government, through the Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), has empowered 100 elderly citizens with disabilities and senior caregivers who have children with disabilities.
The intervention, tagged “Cash Support and Medical Outreach to Elderly Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Caregivers,” took place at the LASODA headquarters within the Alausa Secretariat.
The programme is part of an annual initiative designed to actualize the “THEMES Plus” agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, specifically focusing on social inclusion and the “no citizen is left behind” vision.
The empowerment featured a dual-pronged approach, providing both immediate financial relief and critical medical services to the beneficiaries, who were selected from various communities across the state.
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During the event, the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, explained that the financial support was designed to help elderly beneficiaries meet their daily personal needs, access specialised healthcare services, and improve their mobility through the provision of assistive resources.
She added that the initiative would also support small-scale livelihood activities, with the aim of promoting independence and improving overall wellbeing.
Oyetunde-Lawal, a renowned disability advocate and lawyer, noted that the gesture reflects the state’s resolve to promote dignity and social protection.
She reiterated that at LASODA, inclusion is the “heart of everything,” aiming for a city where senior citizens with disabilities can participate fully and meaningfully.
“The objective is simple yet powerful: to empower, not merely to give,” Oyetunde-Lawal remarked.
Addressing the deep-seated concerns of elderly parents regarding the future of their children with disabilities, the General Manager offered words of encouragement and assurance.
She promised that the state government remains resolute in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and ensuring their long-term integration into society.
The outreach, occurring during the yuletide season, was met with deep gratitude from the beneficiaries.
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Many described the timing as a “timely intervention” that would significantly ease the financial and health burdens typically associated with the festive period.
LASODA continues to implement impactful programs throughout the year, including refinancing for entrepreneurs with disabilities and providing work tools to civil servants with special needs, further cementing state’s position as a leader in disability-inclusive governance.
