The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) with the distribution of food items and cash support across the state’s 16 local government areas.
The gesture was carried out by the Office of Special Education and Social Inclusion, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, as part of efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship on vulnerable groups.
The three-day exercise, which commenced on Monday and is expected to end on Wednesday, has items distributed to beneficiaries, including bags of rice, beans, and cash assistance.
Speaking during the exercise, Princess Agboola said Governor Biodun Oyebanji places high priority on the welfare and rights of persons with disabilities, stressing that the initiative was driven by compassion and genuine concern rather than political considerations.
According to her, the governor’s administration has consistently demonstrated love and support for PWDs through policies and programmes targeted at improving their quality of life.
She therefore urged beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by supporting the leader who prioritises their welfare, particularly as the state prepares for the next governorship election.
Princess Agboola also used the opportunity to remind PWDs of the free healthcare programme approved by the governor for persons with disabilities in Ekiti State, encouraging them to visit the nearest primary healthcare centres in their communities to register and enjoy the services at no cost.
She further highlighted other interventions of the Governor Oyebanji administration in the disability sector, including the repositioning of special schools across the state through the provision of modern equipment, recruitment of relevant manpower, establishment of therapy centres and other life-impacting initiatives.
The Special Assistant also spoke on various empowerment and skills acquisition programmes organised for PWDs by the state government, noting that some beneficiaries had already benefited from vocational training and financial support to start small businesses.
One of the beneficiaries, who was trained in catering service management, testified to the positive impact of the programme on her livelihood.
However, Princess Agboola expressed concern over what she described as the poor response of some PWDs to government financial assistance programmes, urging them to take future opportunities more seriously, as such interventions are meant to empower them economically and improve their standard of living.
At the event, many of the beneficiaries, who turned up with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), pledged their support for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, assuring him of their backing for a second term in office.
