The Chairman of the Association of Persons with Disabilities (APWD), Badagry Chapter, Comrade Sejoro Ekundayo Peter, has urged leaders across Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the wider Badagry axis to act on long-standing demands aimed at improving the welfare and participation of persons with disabilities.
He issued the call during the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held in partnership with the Olorunda LCDA, at the Council Secretariat, Iworo.
The details were drawn from the welcome address presented by Comrade Sejoro during the event, which focused on this year’s global theme, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”
While giving his speech, Comrade Sejoro outlined daily struggles faced by PWDs within the region, pointing to inaccessible public buildings, the lack of sign language interpreters, weak political representation, limited health support, and a high rate of unemployment.
He stressed that persons with disabilities are “not asking for sympathy—we are demanding inclusion, respect, and opportunities, as guaranteed by law and by our inherent dignity.”
In a list of requests tagged Call to Action, the chairman further pressed local authorities to establish Disability Desks in all council offices, appoint Senior Special Assistants on Disability Matters, make public buildings accessible, employ sign language interpreters, set up a special school within the LCDA, and enforce the legally mandated five percent employment quota.
He commended the Badagry Local Government Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, saying he “has already taken steps to establish a Disability Desk and appoint a Senior Special Assistant on Disability Matters,” urging other councils to “follow this… example.”
Sejoro appealed to government agencies, the private sector, civil groups and traditional authorities to work with disability organisations to “build an inclusive Badagry where persons with disabilities are seen, heard, respected, and supported.”
While speaking on the topic ‘Nothing About Us Without Us: Promoting Disability Inclusion in Politics and Government Decision-Making,’ the guest speaker, Dr. Olalekan Mohammed, a lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundation and Counselling Psychology (Special Education Unit) at Lagos State University, Ojo, urged persons with disabilities to fully engage in political participation to influence decisions and secure representation for their communities.
He told the gathering: “You have the right to participate in politics and to be appointed to hold public offices. We have the right to be persons who can represent our communities.”
At the same gathering, the Founder of Friends of the Deaf International Foundation (FDF), Funmilola Ogunro, delivered address titled Inclusive Education as a Tool for Social Progress: Empowering Children with Disabilities to Thrive. She stated that “When children with disabilities thrive, society thrives,” and highlighted the need for barrier-free learning environments, trained teachers, assistive technology, and strong community involvement.
Ogunro listed policy gaps, poor funding, inadequate data and inaccessible infrastructure as major obstacles, adding that “A strong policy without action is simply words on paper.” She encouraged schools to adopt anti-bullying measures, provide individualized education plans, and embrace sign language, braille and other communication tools.
The Chief Host and Executive Chairman of Olorunda LCDA, Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon, reaffirmed the council’s support for PWDs, saying his administration will continue to work on the interests of the group.
He told the gathering that the council had maintained a close relationship with the community over time, saying: “We are a listening government and we shall continue to relate effectively with the leader of your association.”
Hon. Kumayon also announced plans to set up a Disability Desk in the council and pledged ₦815,000 to support the surgery of a PWD currently hospitalised.
In response to appeals from members at the event, the council agreed to sponsor the university education of a visually impaired student admitted to study Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, among other commitments to support the community.
The event drew stakeholders from across the Badagry division, among whom are the Chairman of Badagry local government, Hon. Babatunde Humpe, ably represented by the LGA’s Chief of Staff, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, represented by Comrade Abdul-Salam Ashade and Monday Tanimonwo.
