As part of the move to promote and accelerate national Development without leaving anyone behind, the founder of a prominent Online media outlet , Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, has appealed to government at all levels and stakeholders to address and end the stigmatization and neglects suffered by people with disabilities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the 5th-anniversary lecture of Penpushing Media, held at the prestigious OOPL marquee in Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital, Kayode-Adedeji stressed the importance of involving people with special needs in the governance.
Themed “Burden of Inclusivity and Nigeria’s Democracy,” the event aimed to amplify the voices of individuals with disabilities, shedding light on their abilities rather than focusing on their limitations. Throughout its existence, Penpushing Media has taken up the mantle of social responsibility, striving to advocate for those whose voices often go unheard.
Kayode-Adedeji ardently underscored that people with disabilities are specially endowed with remarkable abilities, but government’s negligence has continued to hindered them from contributing fully to the development of society.
He urged authorities to embrace a more inclusive approach, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their special needs.
By championing the cause of inclusion, Penpushing Media seeks to foster a more equitable and compassionate society where every individual’s potential is recognized and harnessed for the collective benefit of the nation.
The call for government and critical stakeholders to heed this plea resonates as a vital step towards building a stronger, united, and harmonious Nigeria.
According to him “In Penpushing media, one area of our corporate social responsibility is using the platform to show concern for the plight of the less privileged and people with special needs. One was the discovery of Sarah Ajayi, a 20 years old blind girl who lost her two eyes when she was 18 years to a cataract while in SSS2 class. Our online publication brought hope to the hopeless lady through the intervention of one of our leading leaders who took over the educational expenses enroll the girl in the school of the blind in Lagos. I’m happy to inform you that Sarah is now a graduate with specialize in artwork. We are using this medium to solicit empowerment for her to start a business on her artwork”.
“Another special person discovered was Abiodun Omoyayi a physically challenged person and graduate of Mass Communications in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, who was jobless after the NYSC scheme. With the Penpushing media effort in bringing his plight to the public on our medium, Abiodun has today gained full employment with Federal Medical Center(FMC) Abeokuta and work in the Public Relationltion Department.”
Kayode-Adedeji posited that he doesn’t want to stop there as the organization would appreciate support from the government and other critical stakeholders for the people with special needs.
Also speaking the guest speaker at the event Prof. Suleiman Bogoro who was a former Executive SSecretary the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), submitted that there is a need for inclucivity in government without discriminating against any identities in the country, comm, unity against, and even local government.
He added that if there is inclusivity Nigeria will be better, urging that it is important to act now so we can all take the future.
