Bill
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, April 19, 2018 (NAN) The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities ( JONAPD) in Osun chapter, has urged the State House of Assembly to fast-track the passage of Special People’s Bill pending before it.
Mr Kehinde Onitiju, the South-West Chairman of the association, made the appeal during a meeting with the Speaker of the assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, on Thursday in Osogbo.
Onitiju said that the passage of the bill was important to members of the association, adding that it would make life more beautiful and better for them.
He also said the passage of the bill would not only ensure job creation, better and healthy package for JONAPD members but also remove stigmatisation and discrimination its members.
“We don’t want you to have sympathy for us but rather, we want you to have empathy for us by passing the bill.
“Without the bill, we are not in existence but when the bill becomes law, we will be able to boast of a meaningful lifestyle.
“We are not disabled but rather we are challenged and with the passage of this bill, we will be able to maximise our challenges to opportunities,” Onitiju said.
In his response, Salaam said the welfare of the members of the association was paramount to the Assembly.
He said as the state government was looking after the welfare of able persons in the society; it was also its responsibility to carter for the needs of the physically challenged.
Salaam expressed optimism that the passage of the bill would also protect and provide special consideration for the elderly in the state in the area of welfare, social development, poverty reduction and social security.
He said that members of the Assembly would meet to discuss on how to fast-track the passage of the bill, as soon as possible.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a member of Assembly, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, had on August 25, 2016 presented the bill to Assembly for consideration.
Oyintiloye, who is the House Committee Chairman on Information and Strategy, said his passion for the elderly and people with disabilities moved him to present the bill. (NAN)
VE/VOE/DUA
Edited by Vivian Emoni/Dada Ahmed