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Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L) addressing participants during the 3-Day Training Programme for Managers of Children with Speech Disabilities.


Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (4th R), Mrs Joke Orelope-Adefulire (M) and UK-based Professional Speech Therapists at the Opening Ceremony.

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May 31, 2010 - Abimbola Fashola Advocates Love And Support For The Disabled
• • As she flags off 3-day training programme for Managers of children with speech disabilities

The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has advocated love, care and support for people with disabilities saying it is the only way to enable them manifest their innate potentials and abilities for their benefit and that of the society.

Mrs. Fashola, who spoke at De Hall, Ikeja, venue of the flag-off ceremony of a three-day training programme for managers of children with speech disabilities, said the truth in the saying that there is ability in disability could only be realized through giving the disabled in the society a sense of belonging.

"There is truth in the saying that there is ability in disability. It is, however, a fact that those abilities and potentials will be manifested only and when we show love and strive to give the necessary support and care to develop in them sense of belonging and self-worth", the First Lady said.

She noted that the importance of managing disability in the society has made it expedient to continue to provide training and enlightenment to the managers of these special people adding that such training and awareness programmes must agree with international best practices.

The first Lady told participants, "As a people entrusted with the responsibility of caring for these children, it is very important that your skills and knowledge are updated regularly in line with best practices and methods around the world".

Thanking the initiator, Ms. Dupe Olusina, the organizers, facilitators and supporters of the workshop, including the Lagos State Government, for their roles in making the idea a reality, Mrs. Fashola declared, "I expect that we will all be good ambassadors of our different organizations by participating actively in all activities in this workshop for the next two days", adding that the workshop "is a great opportunity that we will not allow to pass by without utilizing it".

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the workshop was meant to create awareness about speech and language disabilities in Lagos in particular and in Nigeria in general as well as build capacity of care-givers and other stakeholders in order to enhance service delivery, especially, in handling children with speech problems.

"Historically, society looks at people with disabilities as individuals to be pitied, feared or ignored thus resulting in unjust dependence, segregation and exclusion from society", the Commissioner lamented, expressing joy, however, that over the years, organizations for people with disabilities all over the world have worked to position disabilities as a human rights issue.

She noted that as a result of the spirited fight of these organizations, the United Nations in 1993 adopted the Standing Rules on dissemination of opportunities for disabled persons. "These Standing Rules ensure equal rights to Education, employment to own and inherit property and not to be discriminated against", she said.

"It is a fact that if a society cannot cater for people with disabilities in that society, that society must change", the Commissioner said adding that this has informed the activities of the Lagos State Government, through various ministries and agencies of government, "to provide enabling environment for people with disabilities, especially children and give our care-givers and other stakeholders the necessary skills and support for their operation".

Expressing gratitude to the facilitators from the United Kingdom "for coming to share your experiences with us" and all those who made the workshop a reality, the Commissioner expressed confidence that the workshop would provide the participants the necessary training and fulfilling experience that would enhance their service delivery to persons with speech disabilities.

Lagos State First Lady, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L) addressing participants during the Opening Ceremoby of the 3-Day Training Programme for Managers of Children with Speech Disabilities at De Hall, Ikeja, Lagos

Lagos State First Lady, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (4th R), Hon. Commisioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleciation, Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire (M) and Trainers cutting the cake during the Opening Ceremoby of the 3-Day Training Programme for Managers of Children with Speech Disabilities at De Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.