…Urges govt, corporate organisations on plights of PLWD
By Adeyinka Adeniran
A former first lady and wife of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Ayaba Mutiat Ladoja on Tuesday presented cash donations of over N2million and other gift items worth several millions to 15 care homes of People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) and orphanages as part of the activities marking her 70th birthday.
This is as she called on all tiers of government, corporate organisations, well meaning individuals among other categories of people to be more sensitive to the plights of the Person’s Living With Disabilities in the society.
Noting that such category of people need attention love and care, the former First Lady of Oyo State atressed that, rather than looking down on them, people should explore the abilities in their disabilities.
She maintained that many of the PLDs have the potentials to be greater in life, if they are assisted either through the award of scholarship or any other means.
She said, “I started associating with the Persons Living with Disabilities, 30 years ago. I have been using the little resources that God blesses me with to assist them.
“They deserve our attention, love and care. Rather than looking down on them, we should identify their potentials and build on it.
“We should let them have sense of belongings. They are part of the society. The government at all levels, corporate organisations and individuals should intensify their efforts towards them.
“Disabilities can come in any forms. It comes with age. It can come through accident and any other forms hence the reason we must not look down on them. We all have our disabilities.
“When they want to cross the road, assist them instead of making mockery of their situation. Also assist them with the little that you have. Don’t wait until you have millions of naira in your account.
“I started what we are witnessing today 30 years ago. It has become my way of life and I thank the likes of Babs Oduyoye for sharing the vision.
“Today, I will be giving N100,000 to 15 Homes, two wheel chairs, two bags of rice each, two cartons of Indomie each and cartons of soap
“Also, five vulnerable will be assisted with Deep chest freezers and grinding machines to start their businesses.
“My message to us is that we should show them love, attention and care.”
More than 200 PLD attended the birthday celebrations with members of the PLD community on the live band stand.
Delivering a public lecture earlier at the event, the Chief Imam, Oluyole Estate Extension, Southwest, Ring Road, Ibadan, Alhaji Mudashiru Bada quoted various philisophers and views of scholars that has shaped thinking of people on perseverance and resilience.
Speaking on the topic: “Celebrating the woman of substance at 70”, the guest lecturer noted that Ayaba Ladoja, despite being out of government since years back, has never withdrawn her support for a pet project she started while in office as the First Lady.
He described the monarch’s wife as a landscape of charity in the eyes of discerning mind, urging her not to relent in her vision of giving succor to humanity within the limit of her visionary capacity ro the glory of God and admiration of mankind.
Bada said, “This summarises my definitions of our dear mama of substance. Her Excellency Ayaba Mutiat Ladoja who despite that she is no longer in governance, has never withdrawn her profound and unwavering commitment in respect of her Idera De Pet project, her servitude to God through succor to humanity.
“A woman of vision and a landscape in the eye of a discerning mind she ir, allowing others to see the hope inside and beyond.”
