Lagos re-unites 3,000 destitute with families

Dr Dolapo Badru, the Special Adviser on Youths, Sports and Social Development, made this known in Lagos.Dec. 3 was observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme was “Realising the MDGs for all: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the World“. Badru said the destitute persons and beggars were […]

Dr Dolapo Badru, the Special Adviser on Youths, Sports and Social Development, made this known in Lagos.Dec. 3 was observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme was “Realising the MDGs for all: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the World“.

Badru said the destitute persons and beggars were taken to their relations and families across the 36 states and ECOWAS countries. He said that the beggars were evacuated from various streets in  Lagos metropolis in the last six months.

“Government is reuniting beggars instead of them exposing themselves to the hazards of the environment such as living in uncompleted buildings, under bridges.

“Begging for alms on the streets can also get the beggars knocked down by vehicles or get used for rituals by unscrupulous persons,’’ said the special adviser.

Badru noted that the theme was timely as the MDGs had provided the best available framework for fulfilling the promise of world leaders at the 2000 summit.

According to him, the leaders promised to spare no efforts to free fellow men, women and children from abject and dehumanising conditions.

Badru said the MDGs could not be achieved without the full participation of people with disabilities.

“Person with disabilities often face stigmatisation and discrimination and are routinely denied basic rights such as food, education, employment, healthcare.

“Every human being on earth is entitled to basic rights, but we also have the responsibilities of making sure that the universal human rights become a reality,’’ he added. Mr Okikiola Akinyemi, State President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), said public perception was the main challenge confronting persons with disabilities.

He urged government at all levels to involve persons with disabilities in poultry, fish farming and other vocations to enable them to contribute to the growth of the society. (NAN)