No One is Without Potential, Oyebanji Declares at Inter’l Day for PWDs

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has advocated better and improved living standard for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), noting that God has not created anyone to be useless or without potential.

Oyebanji, who stated this yesterday at an event commemorating this year’s International Day for Persons With Disabilities held at Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado Ekiti, assured persons with disabilities that his government would continue to make policies that would bring them at par with other citizens as regards fulfilling their God-given talents and potential. 

He added that his administration would not relent in prioritising their welfare.

The event which was attended by the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; his deputy, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; members of State Executive Council and House of Assembly was themed: “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDG’s for, with and by persons with disabilities.”

The governor noted that the remarkable and landmark improvement in the lives of Children in the Government Special schools has shown that his administration had not made mistake by taking the affairs of persons with disabilities out of the Ministry of Education and creating the office of Special Education and Social Inclusion.

He highlighted some of the interventions in the special schools to include, several ongoing projects such as renovation of hostels and classrooms, adding that his administration has given approval for employment of 17 therapists and 91 permanent support staff, which may include qualified people with disabilities and single mothers with children with disabilities.

The governor added that his government has also developed a new curriculum for pupils in the Special Class to address their special needs and prepare them for independent adulthood.

Oyebanji called for renewed efforts to create a fully inclusive world where everyone must work together to break down barriers and build a just society that values every individual’s unique perspectives and potential.

“When it gets to the issue of Persons with Disability (PWDs), I get a little emotional about it and as long as I remain the governor of this state, we are in it together. Because, my Bible tells me, we are fearfully and wonderfully made and we are made in the image of God and God doesn’t make mistake, so in whatever form God has created us, its for a purpose and God will use me to achieve those purposes in your lives.

“I don’t agree that anybody is created useless but I agree that if you don’t have the right support, you don’t have the right access to opportunities, it may be challenging to fulfil your potential, so, the duty of any government is to create opportunities for those of us that don’t have access to those opportunities so that we can fulfil those God-given potentials in all of us.”