‘Govt will protect children with disabilities’

By Oyebola Owolabi

General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, promised that every perThe Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) remains committed to ensuring that children with disabilities receive adequate protection towards their full integration into the society.son with disability will be co-opted to live a meaningful life as it aligns with the present administration’s mantra of leaving no one behind.

She spoke at a stakeholders’ forum with service providers in the disability community. The forum was themed ‘Ensuring the Protection of Children with Disabilities’.
According to her, the forum was organised to address issues about catering to the needs of children with disabilities in both private and government care homes.

She said: “The home should be a sanctuary where children feel safe, loved, and accepted. For children with disabilities, a well-managed home is not just a shelter but a lifeline. It provides them with stability and serves as the foundation for their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.

“Managing a home for a child with disabilities requires additional thought, planning, and unwavering commitment. It must be a space where they are shielded from external challenges—a haven where their abilities are nurtured, their differences celebrated, and where their self-esteem and confidence are constantly built. Dear stakeholders. I believe we can all agree on the importance of instilling these values in our children early on, to help them grow into self-reliant, confident, and well-rounded individuals.”

The LASODA head maintained that the agency has been working to ensure social inclusion, a part of the THEMES PLUS developmental agenda of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, which is to eliminate discrimination and provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities across education, employment, and community life.

“Our mandate is to create, enforce, and supervise policies that ensure Lagos remains a state where inclusion is the norm, and the rights of persons with special needs are fully recognised and protected. We tirelessly work to shield them from all forms of discrimination and to ensure equal access to opportunities in every aspect of life.

“While the home is central to their protection, we must also recognise the crucial role of community support. No family can thrive in isolation. We need to collaborate with community organisations, support groups, and local services to provide a broader network of care for our children. By connecting with others who understand the challenges, families can access invaluable resources, share advice, and find emotional support for themselves as caregivers,” she added.

National President of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, Mrs. Rose Modi, lamented the discrimination against people with disabilities, describing it as ‘cruel’. She urged those managing homes to escalate the issue to the appropriate quarters while abusers should be made to face the law.

Modi also reiterated that it is the responsibility of every home to take up the task of child protection, with appropriate structures in place, conduct research for best practices as obtainable around the world, collaborate with other stakeholders and ensure consistent trainings to upscale their staff knowledge and understanding.

 

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