LASODA VOWS TO PROTECT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY 

Lagos State Office For Disability Affairs (LASODA) has expressed its commitment to ensure children with disabilities receive adequate protection towards their full integration into the society.

The government is reassuring that every single person with disability will be co-opted to live a meaningful life, as this aligns with the present administration’s mantra of leaving no one behind.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum held recently with service providers in the disability community in Lagos State with the theme: ‘Ensuring the Protection of Children with Disabilities’, on Wednesday, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal said the event was organised to address issues relating to catering to the needs of children with disabilities in both private and government care homes.

Oyetunde-Lawal noted that children needs to cohabit and grow up in a safe environment, stressing that their needs are more critical which require specialised care, attention and protection.

“The home should be a sanctuary where children feel safe, loved, and accepted. For children with disabilities, a well-managed home is not just a shelter but a lifeline. It provides them with stability and serves as the foundation for their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. 

“Managing a home for a child with disabilities requires additional thought, planning, and unwavering commitment. It must be a space where they are shielded from external challenges – a haven where their abilities are nurtured, their differences celebrated, and where their self-esteem and confidence are constantly built. Dear stakeholders, I believe we can all agree on the importance of instilling these values in our children early on, to help them grow into self-reliant, confident, and well-rounded individuals”, she said 

LASODA Boss maintained that the Agency has been working assiduously to ensure social inclusion, which formed part of the THEMES Plus developmental agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu which is to eliminate discrimination and provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities across education, employment, and community life.

According to her, “Our mandate is to create, enforce, and supervise policies that ensure Lagos remains a state where inclusion is the norm, and the rights of persons with special needs are fully recognised and protected. We tirelessly work to shield them from all forms of discrimination and to ensure equal access to opportunities in every aspect of life.

“Today’s forum will focus on how we can better manage our homes to ensure the well-being, safety, and development of our children. We will hear from experts on creating safe environments – physically, emotionally, and psychologically – for children with disabilities.

“While the home is central to their protection, we must also recognize the crucial role of community support. No family can thrive in isolation. We need to collaborate with community organisations, support groups, and local services to provide a broader network of care for our children. By connecting with others who understand the challenges, families can access invaluable resources, share advice, and find emotional support for themselves as caregivers”.

She, however, acknowledged the support and contributions of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and private homes that cater to the needs of children with disabilities, while re-echoing the immense potential of the children with disabilities that can be tapped by caregivers and parents to ensure they are given the needed tools to thrive.

“Your dedication and commitment have been invaluable in improving the lives of these children. It is through such collaborative efforts that we will continue to make a meaningful, lasting impact. Let us all keep working together to ensure that every child, regardless of ability, receives the love, care, and opportunities they so richly deserve”, she added.

At the forum, different speakers took turns to address the theme of the event which harped on the Management of home and protection of children with disabilities.

In her presentation, the National President of Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, Mrs. Rose Modi said that discrimination against people with disabilities is cruel and those managing homes should escalate this issue to the appropriate quarters while abusers should be made to face the law.

Modi also mentioned that it is the responsibility of every home to take up the task of child protection, with appropriate structures in place, conduct research for best practices that is obtainable around the world, collaborate with other stakeholders and ensure consistent training to upscale their staff knowledge and understanding.

Other speakers at the event talked about crisis management, prevention and understanding the holistic approach to crisis in catering for the needs of children with disabilities.

They called on parents to desist from abusing drugs, reach out to the appropriate law enforcers whenever crises arise, and be proactive to forestall any forms of crisis. Other observations include the need to establish a crisis management team, develop crisis management policies, create emergency response plans, train staff on crisis management and establish communication protocol.