Africa’s First Wheelchair Fencing Academy Opens In Lagos

The Nigeria Fencing Federation has launched the first-ever Wheelchair Fencing Academy in Africa, welcoming participants from across the globe to the 2026 ENABLE Wheelchair Fencing Academy, hosted by World Abilitysport in collaboration with the Commonwealth Fencing Federation.

Running from Wednesday, August 5 to Friday, August 7 at Rugby School Nigeria, Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Academy will welcome athletes, coaches, referees, and volunteers from Liberia, Gambia, Brazil, Namibia, the USA/ UK, Rwanda, Togo, Botswana, and host nation Nigeria.

ENABLE—short for Empowering New Abilities—is REACH Africa’s inclusion initiative dedicated to transforming lives through adaptive sport, education, leadership, and opportunity. The programme aims to create sustainable pathways for persons with disabilities to participate, compete, and excel in wheelchair fencing, while promoting inclusion across communities.

Over three days, participants will receive intensive training in fencing techniques, coaching methodologies, competition rules, athlete classification, and officiating.

A dedicated referee education seminar will also be delivered.

 

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The programme is led by Tonye Sawari, Programme Lead for the ENABLE Initiative, coordinating preparations for Nigeria’s Para team and Commonwealth nations ahead of the Championships. Training sessions will be conducted by Ivan Schwantes, World Para Fencing Coaching Representative, alongside international educators committed to expanding wheelchair fencing across Africa and the Commonwealth.

Following the Academy, athletes will compete in individual and team events in foil and epee during the Commonwealth Championships.

 Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Harry Cootes, Acting Chief Executive Officer of World Abilitysport, said, “A driving force behind our work is ensuring that fencing is accessible to as many people with disabilities as possible. The Wheelchair Fencing Academy, now in its fifth year, has created opportunities for athletes and coaches in emerging nations, and we are excited to bring that impact to Africa for the very first time.”

 REACH Africa Chairperson, Rachael Samuel, described the launch of ENABLE as a defining moment for inclusive sport in Nigeria: “ENABLE represents far more than a training programme. It is a commitment to ensuring that every young person, regardless of physical ability, has access to opportunity, dignity, and excellence through sport.

 “By partnering with World Abilitysport, the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, and the Nigeria Fencing Federation, we are building a sustainable pathway that identifies talent, develops coaches, empowers communities, and creates future Paralympians.”

 The ENABLE Academy is part of REACH Africa’s broader mission to use education, sport, and skills development to transform lives while creating sustainable opportunities for underserved communities. As

 Nigeria prepares to host athletes and officials from across the Commonwealth, the Academy and Championships are expected to leave a lasting legacy—expanding wheelchair fencing, developing local expertise, and demonstrating Africa’s commitment to inclusive sport and equal opportunity for all.

  

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Why We Are Introducing Specialized Vehicle Number Plates For Persons With Disabilities In Lagos - Government

The Lagos state government has clarified why it is introducing specialized vehicle number plates for persons with disabilities in the state, saying the system will improve identification, accessibility and support for members of the disability community. The State Government announced that it has commenced plans to introduce specialized vehicle number plates for Persons with Disabilities as part of efforts to enhance inclusion in the state.

The proposal formed the focus of discussions during a courtesy visit by the management of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs to the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, where both agencies explored collaboration on the development and implementation of the disability-friendly vehicle identification system.

 

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Speaking during the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the MVAA, Abdulrasheed Muri-Okunola, described the initiative as a major step towards achieving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of building “A Greater Lagos That Leaves No One Behind.”

“The specialised number plates will improve recognition, accessibility and ease of movement for persons with disabilities throughout the state, The initiative also aligns with the principles of inclusive governance,” Muri-Okunola said.

He disclosed that the agency had already commenced discussions with the Federal Road Safety Corps on the proposed number plates and would begin the necessary administrative processes while working closely with LASODA to ensure successful implementation.

Earlier, the General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, said the visit was aimed at initiating strategic discussions on introducing specialised number plates tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities in Lagos State.

“This initiative should cover all categories of persons with disabilities, as well as parents of children with disabilities and their caregivers.

“The system will improve identification, accessibility and support for members of the disability community,” Oyetunde-Lawal said.

She added that the proposed number plates would reinforce the government’s commitment to building a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities are recognised, respected and able to participate fully in all aspects of life.

“The proposed number plates underscore the government’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

“We call on all stakeholders to embrace inclusion as a shared responsibility and support policies that advance the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities,” she said.

Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the initiative, which aligns with the provisions of the Lagos State Special People’s Law that established LASODA to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities across all sectors.

The meeting was attended by directors and senior management staff of LASODA and the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency.

  

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Alleged Corruption And Bribery In LASODA: Lagos JONAPWD Calls For Review Of Disbursement Channels Of Disability Funds In The State

The Lagos chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) has waded into the alleged corruption and bribery accusation levelled against the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), calling for a review of disability funds disbursement channels in the state in order to ensure transparency and accountability. This was contained in a press statement issued by the body on Thursday and signed by its chairman, Barrister Lukeman Abolarinwa Salami, a copy of which was made available to Lagos Today Extra!

The statement read in part, “The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Lagos State Chapter, as the recognised umbrella body of disability clusters across Lagos State, has followed with grave concern recent media reports on allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), and now calls on the Lagos State Government to bring transparency, accountability, and a fundamental change of approach to how public funds meant for persons with disabilities are disbursed in this state.”

 

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JONAPWD said its concerns was not borne out of speculation but based on investigative reporting by The PUNCH, which documented allegations that officials involved in administering LASODA's Disability Intervention Fund demanded kickbacks from beneficiary organisations before releasing grants, and that some organisations which refused to pay, have allegedly been blacklisted from further grants. It added That the same reporting captured the frustration of NGO operators working directly with children with disabilities, who described corruption as a central obstacle preventing support from reaching those who need it most.

“We note that LASODA has since responded publicly, denying the corruption allegations and stating that it has launched an internal fact-finding exercise following an anonymous tip, that a suspected officer has been identified, and that the matter has been referred to the appropriate authority for disciplinary consideration in line with Lagos State Public Service procedures.

“The agency, under its General Manager, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, has maintained that no disciplinary action has yet been concluded and that any outcome will be determined by the Civil Service Commission. JONAPWD acknowledges this response and states clearly that we await the outcome of this investigation, and we expect it to be conducted thoroughly, impartially, and with its findings made public, given that public funds and the welfare of a community of an estimated 3 million persons with disabilities in Lagos State are at stake,” the statement read.

It, however said JONAPWD's concerns go beyond the specific kickback allegations under investigation, stressing  that they extend to the entire architecture of how LASODA funds disability NGOs in the state, saying it is an architecture that has for long lacked the basic transparency that public funding demands.

JONAPWD noted that every year, several millions of naira are recorded as expended by LASODA in support of disability-focused NGOs, homes, and clusters; yet neither JONAPWD, nor the disability clusters it represents, nor the media, nor the Lagos State public has ever been given a clear, published account of exactly how much is disbursed, to which organisations, and on what basis.

“We are aware that some organisations, including some without proper official registration, have received support in excess of two million naira in a single cycle, while established disability clusters have received less than two million naira each, and JONAPWD itself, as the umbrella body coordinating these very clusters, received only one million five hundred thousand naira last year.

“LASODA has stated that annual institutional support is consistently extended to recognised umbrella associations while other organisations are considered based on programme priorities and assessment processes, but no such criteria, assessments, or figures have ever been made available to the community for independent scrutiny,” the statement read.

In stating its position on the matter, JONAPWD said LASODA has no business funding NGOs, stressing that Non-governmental organisations exist, by definition, to raise their own funding through legitimate proposals to donors, development partners, and philanthropic institutions. The body added that it is not the statutory responsibility of a government disability agency to serve as a grant-making body for NGOs, particularly where no transparent framework exists to govern who receives what, and why, which it said has now led to the corruption allegations facing the agency.

In addition, the body advised that the money currently being expended on NGO funding arrangement should instead be redirected to direct, sustained social protection interventions for persons with disabilities themselves.

“The millions currently being expended on this funding arrangement should instead be redirected to direct, sustained social protection interventions for persons with disabilities themselves, most notably a structured cash transfer programme targeted at verified persons with disabilities across all clusters in Lagos State,” it stated,  adding that Money spent reaching disabled Lagosians directly, through a transparent and auditable mechanism, would always do more for the community than money disbursed to organisations whose registration, activities, and impact cannot be confirmed.

JONAPWD also called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand a full, public disclosure of LASODA's NGO funding disbursements over the past five years, including the names of all recipient organisations, the amounts received, and the criteria applied, independent of and in addition to the ongoing internal investigation.

The body also called on the Lagos State Government to ensure that the current investigation into kickback allegations is not left solely to LASODA's internal processes, but is subjected to independent oversight, given that the agency under investigation cannot credibly be the sole judge of its own conduct.

“Lagos State is home to an estimated three million persons with disabilities. That is a population too large to be treated as an afterthought while public funds are disbursed behind closed doors and only scrutinised after journalists, not the agency itself, bring the matter to light,” it stated,  stressing that the Lagos State Chapter  of JONAPWD will continue to mobilise its members, its media partners, and its civic allies to press for a system in which disability funding in the state is transparent, needs-based, and free of the abuse that recent reporting has laid bare. It added that the body will be watching closely for the outcome of the investigation LASODA has announced.

“We remain committed to constructive engagement with the Lagos State Government and with LASODA on this matter, and we stand ready to work with any credible process aimed at correcting it,” the statement concluded.

  

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Lagos Junior Secondary Schoolgirls Develop AI-powered Platform That Converts Classroom Notes Into Sign Language Videos

Mende Junior High School has won the overall prize in Tech4Dev’s maiden AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge. The girls won the competition with Learning Without Limits, an AI-powered platform that converts classroom notes into sign language videos, simplified visual explanations, subtitles and voice narration to improve learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

One hundred and thirty-five girls from 27 public secondary schools in Lagos were involved in the project that aimed to develop artificial intelligence-powered solutions addressing education, safety and bullying after participating in Tech4Dev’s maiden AI Inter-District Secondary School Challenge.

 

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The initiative, organised under the Tech Girls Drive Advocacy programme of the Women Techsters initiative, introduced participants from Lagos Education Districts II and IV to practical AI and problem-solving skills.

The challenge culminated in a grand finale where six finalist teams presented AI-driven projects designed to improve learning accessibility, student safety and school welfare.

Speaking at the event, Tech4Dev’s Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Abraham Akpan, said the programme was designed to prepare girls for opportunities in an AI-driven future.

“This challenge was about more than learning Artificial Intelligence. It was about helping young girls see themselves as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. When girls are given access to the right skills and opportunities, they can build solutions that create real impact in their communities,” he said.

The programme began with advocacy sessions in 31 public secondary schools before 27 schools progressed to the competition. Each participating school nominated five girls from Junior Secondary School 1 to Senior Secondary School 3 to develop AI-powered solutions with support from teachers and volunteer mentors.

At the competition, Mende Junior High School won the overall prize with Learning Without Limits, an AI-powered platform that converts classroom notes into sign language videos, simplified visual explanations, subtitles and voice narration to improve learning for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Onike Girls Junior High School finished second with Onike Girls Alarm Station, a personal safety application featuring a one-tap emergency alert and live GPS tracking to help girls seek assistance during emergencies, including in areas with poor network coverage.

Mende Senior High School secured third place with SpeakSafe, an anonymous AI-powered reporting platform designed to help students report bullying while enabling schools to identify patterns and respond promptly.

One of the participants said the challenge had changed her perception of artificial intelligence.

“Before this challenge, I never imagined I could use AI. Working with my team showed me that our ideas matter, and it has inspired me to keep learning and building solutions that can help others,” she said.

Beyond the winning entries, participating schools developed projects focusing on gender-based violence, adolescent health, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, unemployment, educational access and social inclusion.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Oni commended the initiative for promoting digital skills among young girls.

“Education must continue to evolve to prepare young people for the reality of tomorrow. Initiatives like this provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, creativity, and digital skills. We commend Tech4Dev for creating this platform and investing in the future of our girls,” she said.

Tech4Dev said the challenge forms part of its broader effort to expand digital skills training for girls in underserved communities through the Women Techsters Programme, which operates in 30 African countries to prepare girls and women for careers in technology and innovation.

  

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Corruption And Bribery Allegation: NGO Calls For Suspension Of LASODA's Leadership, Asks EFCC To Wade In

The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind CITAB has expressed profound disappointment, shock, and outright condemnation over the investigative report by The Punch Newspaper alleging systemic corruption and bribery within the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs LASODA.

This was contained in a press release issued in Lagos by Jolomi Fenemigho, Executive Chairman of CITAB.

CITAB noted that the report, which details alleged extortion, administrative roadblocks, and kickback demands targeted at non governmental organisations NGOs that cater for children with disabilities, paints a devastating picture of state enabled neglect. According to the report, approvals and support that should flow directly to children in need are allegedly being processed only after certain envelopes move in the opposite direction, leaving vulnerable children to pay the hidden price of official indulgence.

 

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Fenemigho described the revelations as a tragic betrayal of trust and a direct assault on the survival and dignity of persons with disabilities in Lagos State.

According to him, “It is a moral low and a structural tragedy when an agency explicitly mandated to protect and uplift the disability community becomes the very obstacle to their survival. Extorting NGOs that are struggling to keep children with disabilities alive, educated, and cared for is a crime against humanity. LASODA was built to be a refuge, not a tollgate, and public servants were not hired to collect gate fees before compassion can cross the door.”

The CITAB leader recalled that LASODA was established to implement the Lagos State Special Peoples Law, guaranteeing equity, access to infrastructure, and welfare for citizens with disabilities. He said that any practice that allegedly ties approvals, grants, or access to assistive devices and welfare programmes to appreciation from NGOs completely invalidates the progressive image Lagos State claims to project on disability inclusion.

The statement warned that when corruption penetrates a disability agency, the consequences for beneficiaries are immediate and physical, noting that for a blind child, a project quietly stalled on a desk because an NGO declined to play ball can mean another term out of school, while diverted resources can mean the denial of basic mobility and digital tools required to participate in society.

In the light of the situation, CITAB issued a series of firm demands to the Lagos State Government, calling first for the immediate suspension of LASODA’s leadership and all implicated officials, and the establishment of an independent judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations in full.

“We cannot entrust the investigation of these claims to the same structures accused of enabling them. Only a transparent, independent judicial process can restore public confidence and reassure families and NGOs that their cries are being taken seriously. If there is nothing to hide, then the books, the files, and the phones should have nothing to fear,” it stated.

CITAB further urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission ICPC to wade in, insisting that any official found guilty of demanding kickbacks, hoarding aid, or weaponising approvals against NGOs must face the full weight of the law.

Fenemigho also called for the total digitization and automation of LASODA’s aid and resource distribution processes. He demanded an open, accessible digital portal where NGOs and individuals can submit applications, track approvals, and view disbursements in real time, so that favour no longer determines whose file moves and whose gathers dust.

The CITAB boss stressed the need for civil society oversight, calling for independent, certified non governmental organisations within the disability community to be formally included in monitoring the allocation of disability resources and auditing LASODA’s operations.

According to him, “Every naira diverted through kickbacks or blocked approvals is a naira stolen from mobility tools, therapy, education, and rehabilitation for our children. When an agency created to protect us is accused of turning NGO partnerships into a cash and carry arrangement, Lagosians must ask: who is really being served, the public or private appetites”

Fenemigho expressed CITAB’s unwavering solidarity with the NGOs and the families allegedly victimised by systemic extortion and administrative abuse, pledging that the organisation will not remain silent while resources meant to give children with disabilities a fighting chance at life are converted into returns on investment for a few well placed officials.

He called on the Lagos State Government to clean up LASODA without delay through an independent judicial investigation, criminal prosecution where warranted, full digitization and public transparency of aid processes, and structured civil society oversight. He stressed that the disability community deserves accountability, dignity, and justice, not exploitation, adding that Nothing About Us Without Us must guide every policy and naira spent in their name.

  

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LASODA In The Eye Of The Storm, As Allegations Of Corruption And Kick-back Bribery Hit Agency

When in May, this year, the annual budgetary allocation to the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) was increased from N500 Million to N1 Billion, there was hope that the increment would help alleviate the plight of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state. However, the agency is currently entangled in allegations of kickback demands, blacklisting of outspoken NGOs, and mismanagement of the Disability Intervention Fund, which have compounded the woes of PWDs in the state.

According to a report in The Punch, disability rights advocates say there is a growing number of children living with disabilities, many of whom require specialised healthcare, rehabilitation services, assistive devices, educational support and welfare interventions but do not receive them due to alleged corruption and other systemic challenges.

While government intervention funds and support programmes exist to address some of these needs, stakeholders alleged that beneficiaries are unable to access them.

 

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“Disability advocates and non-governmental organisations working in the sector say  children living with disabilities continue to struggle to access intervention funds and support services meant to improve their lives,” the report stated.

The 2021 United Nations Population Fund estimated that about 32 million Nigerians, including children, live with one form of disability or another.

Children with disabilities experience disrupted education for various reasons, including stigma and discrimination, inaccessible school infrastructure, delayed identification and diagnosis, and inadequate funding to support their needs.

However, to address these challenges, the administration of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola established the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs following the enactment of the Lagos State Special People’s Law in 2011.

It was meant to safeguard persons with disabilities from discrimination and guarantee equal rights.

LASODA was created to enforce the law, issue disability certificates, protect the rights of persons with disabilities and serve as a link between the government and NGOs, homes and cluster foundations working with them.

His successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, established the disability fund and inaugurated the agency’s board in line with the law.

Following this, the Lagos State Government voted N500m annually to support persons with disabilities before increasing the allocation to N1bn in May 2026. The fund is intended to promote inclusion, accessibility and public awareness.

The Lagos State Government also provides annual grants ranging from N500,000 to N1 million to registered NGOs, special homes and disability clusters.

The funds are managed and disbursed through LASODA to support the daily operations, advocacy and caregiving activities of organisations working with persons with disabilities.

However, according to the report, stakeholders alleged that some officials involved in administering the funds demand kickbacks from beneficiary organisations before processing or releasing the grants.

An NGO operator identified simply as Ishola, who works closely with children with disabilities, alleged that corruption had become a major obstacle preventing support from reaching those who need it most.

“There is funding available for these children, but it cannot reach them because corruption is getting worse every day. Some officials responsible for processing or facilitating access to intervention funds demand a percentage of the money as a kickback before approving or releasing support,” the source told The Punch.

Several stakeholders who spoke exclusively to Sunday PUNCH raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the administration of disability-related intervention funds.

They alleged that demands for kickbacks significantly reduce the funds available to NGOs to cater to the needs of children living with disabilities.

Another NGO operator, who requested anonymity for fear of being blacklisted from accessing intervention funds, alleged that during an interaction with the Director of Social Development and Integration at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Kelani Akeem, the official proposed sharing intervention funds.

“He said he would include my NGO’s name among the beneficiaries, but I would have to give him a certain amount as commission. I knew that if I did that, there would be nothing left to carry out the interventions for the children,” the source told Punch’s correspondent.

The source further alleged that organisations that refused to comply with such demands risked being excluded from funding opportunities.

“We have been blacklisted because we refused to pay. Some of the things happening in this sector are deeply troubling,” the source claimed.

He further added that many organisations that allegedly comply were afraid to speak out for fear of being cut off from future interventions.

“They would say half a loaf is better than none, thereby denying needy children the intervention that was meant for them and enriching some selfish individuals within LASODA,” the source alleged.

The allegations against LASODA come amid growing concerns by some stakeholders over the management of disability intervention funds in Lagos State.

The PUNCH, in a report published on November 6, 2025, reported that the Coordinator of Kehinde Oshilaja Foundation, Kehinde Oshilaja, urged the Lagos State Government to make greater provisions for the welfare of persons with disabilities, particularly in affordable housing, healthcare and social infrastructure.

The organisation also called for well-equipped sporting facilities to promote the physical and social well-being of persons with disabilities across the state.

When the Lagos State Government, through the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, announced in May 2026 an increase in the disability support fund managed by LASODA from N500 million to N1 billion during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing, he said the additional funding was specifically meant to strengthen support for persons with disabilities across the state.

According to the commissioner, the agency had continued to make significant progress in promoting inclusion, accessibility and public awareness for persons with disabilities in Lagos State.

He said LASODA’s interventions covered capacity building and professional training, economic empowerment and business support, financial assistance to homes and disability clusters, as well as the provision of assistive devices, prosthetics, and work tools.

However, Sunday PUNCH reported that some stakeholders alleged that the same intervention fund had become vulnerable to kickback demands by some officials from NGOs seeking access to the grants.

Behind the allegations of corruption and demands for kickbacks are families whose lives have been upended by the inability to access support meant for children living with disabilities.

For a grandmother, who introduced herself to Sunday PUNCH as Mrs Sola, the cost was irreversible.

As her grandson’s condition worsened, she knocked on the doors of non-governmental organisations, hoping someone would help. She exhausted her family’s savings, borrowed from neighbours and sought assistance from charitable organisations. But the help she desperately needed never came.

Her grandson died while they were still searching for support, leaving behind grief and painful questions about whether his life could have been different had help arrived in time.

For another mother, the nightmare is still unfolding.

Her young son suffers from a severe medical condition that requires surgery, yet months after seeking help, she is still unable to find an NGO willing or able to fund the operation.

A Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Havanah Hospital, Lagos Island, Dr Cynthia Okafor, said delays in accessing intervention for children living with disabilities could have devastating consequences.

She noted that many families are unable to secure urgent medical treatment because organisations expected to support them often lack adequate resources.

According to her, one of the gravest consequences of the alleged corruption is that it diminishes children’s chances of receiving timely medical attention that could improve or even save their lives.

“Illnesses and diseases are better treated at an early stage. When treatment is delayed beyond the critical or golden period, the chances of recovery become significantly reduced,” she said.

A child rights advocate and lawyer, Lawrence Ndukwe, said the allegations underscore the need for stronger oversight, transparent disbursement mechanisms, and independent monitoring of disability intervention funds.

He argued that every naira allocated to support children living with disabilities should be traceable from appropriation to implementation.

When contacted over the allegations, the Director of Social Development and Integration at the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, Kelani Akeem, appealed to Sunday PUNCH to “use your good office to address the matter,” saying it had been resolved internally.

“May God not let you lose your job. May God not let you lose your job. May God not let you lose your job. I don’t know what to say. Please use your good office to address the matter. The matter has been settled in the office,” he said when asked to respond to the allegations.

The General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, was also contacted on Friday, July 17, 2026, and asked to respond to the allegations. She requested that the enquiries be sent via email, which the punch’s correspondent did.

When reminded the following day that no response had been received, she replied:

“Good afternoon, sir. You sent your email, didn’t you? Exactly… you will get your reply. Thank you.”

As of the time this report was filed, LASODA had yet to respond to the detailed questionnaire sent by Sunday PUNCH, which sought its reaction to allegations of kickback demands, the blacklisting of NGOs, the alleged mismanagement of the Disability Intervention Fund, and the measures it has put in place to ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the funds.

With report from The Punch

  

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UK Based Scholar Urges LASODA To Go Beyond Advocacy And Awareness Creation, As Group Donates Assistive Devices To PWDs In Lagos

A clarion call has been made to the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) to strengthen its role as the coordinating arm of government on disability matters in the state and go Beyond advocacy and awareness creation to taking more decisive steps towards enforcing the provisions of the Lagos State Special People's Law. The call was made by Mr Michael Fadeyi, a UK based Nigerian scholar, during the presentation of assistive devices to persons with disabilities (PWDs) at the International Press Centre, Ogba in Ikeja.

Mr Fadeyi said there was a need for LASODA to take more steps in enforcing the law, especially where there are clear cases of non-compliance.

“Where there are clear cases of non-compliance by individuals, organisations, or institutions, such matters should be pursued through the appropriate legal channels,” he stated, stressing that effective enforcement would send a strong message that disability rights are not acts of charity but matters of justice, dignity, and law.

 

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“Together, we can build a Lagos where persons with disabilities are not merely included in policy discussions but are fully considered in the design and implementation of health and social programmes,” Mr Fadeyi added.

The UK based scholar also advised that health initiatives targeted at persons with disabilities should go beyond general programmes and recognise the additional financial and health burdens they experience, adding that Healthcare support, insurance schemes, subsidies, and social protection measures must take these realities into account.

In his own words, “Since part of what we are doing here today is health-related, the Lagos State Government's health initiatives must be deliberately designed to meet the particular needs of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities often face economic realities that make them poorer than their non-disabled counterparts, whether they are employed or unemployed. Disability frequently comes with additional costs that many people do not see.

“For example, consider a person who is blind and works for the Lagos State Government. Such an individual may own a car like any other employee, but because they cannot drive, they must employ the services of a driver. This is an extra expense that a non-disabled employee may not have to bear. Similar hidden costs exist across different disability groups, reducing disposable income and increasing vulnerability to poverty.

“For this reason, health initiatives targeted at persons with disabilities should go beyond general programmes and recognise the additional financial and health burdens they experience. Healthcare support, insurance schemes, subsidies, and social protection measures must take these realities into account.”

Mr Fadeyi noted that persons with disabilities are not a homogeneous group as  Different disabilities come with different health needs. A person with albinism, he said, may require specialised dermatological care, regular skin examinations, and protection from the harmful effects of the sun, which are entirely different from those of a blind person.

“Likewise, individuals with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy may require physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other specialised interventions that are very different from the needs of persons with hearing impairments. The implication is clear: a one-size-fits-all approach will not adequately serve persons with disabilities. Health programmes must be disability-responsive, inclusive, and tailored to the specific needs of different impairment groups,” he stated.

The presentation of assistive devices at the International Press Centre was the culmination of a 3-day event that included the donation of a desktop computer and a standalone scanner to the Visually Impaired Unit of the University of Lagos Library, as well as  the donation of a washing machine to Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted. The beneficiaries were drawn from different clusters, including  the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Let Cerebral Kids Learn Foundation, Divine International Centre Solution for the Blind, Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) and Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDDN).

The items distributed at the event include: two desktop computers, anti-seizure medication for three months for 10 children with cerebral palsy, games and learning materials for blind students, accessible BP monitors for blind people; guide cane and talking wristwatch, and one wheelchair.

The event was initiated and supported by Michael Fadeyi, a doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex, UK, with financial contributions from the Oliver family, also in the United Kingdom. It was coordinated and executed by BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM), a non-governmental organisation that promotes the rights of vulnerable and marginalised groups in Nigeria.

In her remarks, Dr Oluwafunmilayo Adekola, Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Orientation, LASODA, representing the General Manager, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, thanked Mr Fadeyi, BOFIM and the supporters for the initiative, saying that the effort would help to enhance the well-being of PWDs

Dr Adekola noted that the Lagos State government has rolled out different forms of support to PWDs, but the government cannot do it alone, and encouraged stakeholders within the space to join hands with the government to promote the rights of PWDs in the state. She also urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items received.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the assistive devices, saying the devices would go a long way in helping them to cope with the health, mobility and other challenges that come with disability.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Sunday Amabli, who represented the Special Education Unit, Federal Government College, Ijanikin, appreciated the desktop computer given to the unit.

“Our students use typewriters currently; with the computer, they can learn better and be computer literate, which would be useful in preparing them ahead of higher institutions. With this, they can cope effectively in the higher institutions,” he stated.

A parent receives a three-month supply of medication for her child with cerebral palsy

L-R: University Librarian, Prof Christopher Okiki; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Services, UNILAG Prof Muyiwa Falaye; Head Readers' Services, UNILAG, Prof E.A. Adekanmi; Dr Onaadeojo, Head, Technical Services  receiving accessible desktop scanner and desktop computer

 

 

  

 

     

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Yes, Persons With Disabilities Are Also Vulnerable To HIV - Dr Folakemi Animashaun, CEO Lagos AIDS Control Agency

The chief executive officer(CEO) , Lagos AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr Folakemi Animashaun, has debunked the myth that persons with disabilities are less likely to be vulnerable to HIV because of perceived less sexual activity within the disabled community, saying that everyone who is exposed to the virus, whether abled body or with disability, is vulnerable to HIV.

Dr Animashaun made this disclosure while speaking on an exclusive chat with Lagos Today Extra!, on the sideline of a one-day awareness and sensitization programme organized for persons with disabilities in the state on HIV prevention and management.

The programme, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), brought together members of the hearing and visually impaired community, stakeholders, and advocates to enhance awareness on HIV prevention, promote disability-inclusive healthcare services, and address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing HIV-related information and support.

“Yes, persons with disabilities are also vulnerable to HIV. Whether you are abled body or living with disability, if you are exposed to HIV, you are vulnerable to the virus,” Dr Animashaun told our correspondent.

She added that even though the agency was still working out the data to find out the percentage of PWDs among those living with HIV in Lagos state, there was no denying the fact that anyone exposed to the virus is vulnerable to HIV, whether abled body or with disability.

“And that’s why we are organising this event specifically for those living with disabilities. We want them to know how to find out if they or their partners are HIV positive and what to do if they are, how to reduce the viral load through medication and also how to avoid discriminating against those who are HIV positive,” she further added.

She revealed that participants in the programme are also taught how to recognise and avoid domestic violence, stressing that  even though it may not be rampant in the disability community, cases of domestic violence are rampant in the larger society.

“People who knew that their partners are positive and willingly go into the marriage, end up inflicting domestic violence on such partners. We are also using this sensitization event to discourage such attitudes,” she said.

The Ceo of LSACA said information materials for the programme have been specifically processed into formats that are accessible to the participants. “In this event, we have participants from both the visually and the hearing impaired communities. And to ensure that the information is properly digested by participants, we have them presented in formats that each group can easily access. For those with visual impairment, we have the information in brail while there is a sign language interpreter on ground to pass the message to those with hearing impairment,” she stated.

On issues of stigma, Animashaun said LSACA is there to mediate for those who are being stigmatized or discriminated on because they are HIV positive. She said the agency is there for people to report to and get justice.

According to her, being a person with disability in Lagos does not exclude one from knowing what one should know concerning HIV, hence the need to have a separate awareness programme for persons with disabilities. “The mantra from His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu  is that no one should be left behind and at LSACA, we have keyed in to that policy direction of inclusivity. So we have the mandate to ensure that anyone with disability in Lagos has the basic knowledge  of HIV, knows how to interact with those living with HIV, and how to prevent themselves from contracting the virus. We are also here to make participants understand that those who have the virus must not transmit it to others and that they are taking their medications regularly,” she said.

Earlier, during his presentation, Mr Michael Essien, one of the facilitators, outlined the main modes of HIV transmission to include unprotected sexual intercourse, mother to baby transmission during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding, as well as sharing of sharp objects that have been used to pierce the body, and through blood transfusion.

“The prevention for sexually transmitted HIV is either proper and consistent use of condoms during sex, abstinence , or faithfulness to partners,” he said, adding that pregnant women should regularly take their medications to avoid transmitting the virus to their baby either in the womb, during delivery or in the process of breastfeeding. He also advised participants to avoid sharing sharp objects like syringes, needles and hair clippers, while patients going for blood transfusion should make sure that the blood they are using is certified by the Lagos state government.

Another facilitator, Dr Sule Omolola, while making her own presentation, said The right of persons to access healthcare should not be violated, adding that this happens when someone is denied access to healthcare because of their disability status.

“If, for instance, a hearing impaired patient goes to a healthcare facility and the medical personnel says the patient should go home and bring a family member as an interpreter, it is very wrong. Such a family member may not only end up disclosing the HIV status of the patient to others but may also start giving the patient instructions on what to do and what not to do, most of which may not be medically correct,” she said, adding  that people who are vulnerable to HIV and largely depend on others for their livelihood, often lack access to healthcare and this increases their vulnerability as well as transmitting the virus to others.

Dr Sule said the fear of negative attitudes of healthcare workers is a big barrier in the way of most patients trying to access such healthcare.

She also revealed that women and girls are at greater risk of gender based violence within the disability community. “Women and girls are at greater risk of gender based violence and this is often committed by care givers and family members,” she said adding   that such a situation could lead to physical injury, HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy.

“Some of these care givers may withhold access to mobility aids and insist that they would not release them to you unless you obey them. This becomes double burden because first you are with disability and now, you are being denied access to healthcare,” she further stated.   

Dr Sule also informed participants that most of these atrocities against persons with disabilities stem from cultural myths, saying that in some societies, there is the dangerous belief that if one have sex with a person with disability, one would be cured of one’s HIV, while some people also believe that having sex with a disabled person would make them wealthy. These myths, she said, fuel the risk of gender base violence and risk of HIV infection among persons with disabilities.

Clarifying the relationship between stigma and discrimination, Dr Sule said stigma occurs in the mind, when people begin to have negative thoughts about others because of their gender, health or disability status while discrimination sets in when such stigma is translated into action by isolating such people. Stigma, she said, feeds disability because if someone is isolated due to stigma and discrimination, they become economically disadvantaged and have to rely on others and when this happens, it leads to vulnerability that may end up with the person involved contracting the virus and unknowingly transmitting it to others.

Dr Sule, however, said even though there are several barriers on the way of persons with disabilities accessing healthcare, they have rights under the law to overcome these barriers if they report to agencies like the LSACA or the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA)whenever they perceive that those rights are being violated, whether by family members, care givers or healthcare providers.

The event featured demonstrations on how to properly use both the male and female condoms as well as on-the-spot self saliva HIV test carried out by participants themselves to know their HIV status.

Some of the participants who spoke with Lagos Today Extra!, said they benefited a lot from the event, promising to cascade the information they got down to their various disability communities when they get back.

“I have learnt so many things about HIV today. For instance, I did not know until today that I could carry out a self test all by myself. This is a good thing because it ensures confidentiality and reduces the likelihood of stigma in the event of a negative test. Again, I learnt of the many legal avenues at our disposal when our rights are being violated in our quest to have access to healthcare as persons with disabilities,” one of the participants who gave her name as Ola, said.

“The sessions were very interactive. We had opportunities to ask and answer questions. I have learnt so much today and when I get back, I will cascade the information I have gathered down to my community so that those who are not here can also benefit from the information,” another participant stated.

Cross sections of participants at the event

 

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