Abiodun Nejo Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, Ekiti State, Tokunbo Familusi, speaks with ABIODUN NEJO about the challenges and discrimination they face in society and the need for the government to live up to its responsibilities so that PWDs can have a conducive environment to thrive . When you emerged JONAPWD state chairman, what were your plans for the association? I thank God because among the persons who contested that election, I am not the best, but I just give God all the glory for giving me the opportunity to lead people with disabilities. I believe it is an opportunity for me to be a voice for the voiceless, and to advocate for them.
I see it as an opportunity and a ground to advocate for all PWDs in Ekiti State, to create a better living for them and to make sure they have access to quality education and that they are not being discriminated against in society. As it is, what are the challenges of your members in Ekiti? Persons with disabilities are facing a series of challenges in terms of inclusion and employment opportunities. There is a need for the PWDs to have access to quality education and empowerment.
Look at the buildings in the state, most of them are not accessible to PWDs, government offices and so many public buildings that are not compliant with the disabilities law. There are so many challenges that we are facing. Today, PWDs cannot be put in the homes, we are supposed to see them working, so, the area of jobs f.