Lagos State Government Honors PWDs' Creativity and Resilience at 2025 Ability Games
The Lagos State Government has taken a significant step in celebrating the creativity, resilience, and sporting excellence of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) by hosting the 2025 Ability Games at the Isheri Rehabilitation and Vocational Centre. This event brought together athletes with disabilities from diverse backgrounds to compete in a range of sporting activities, all designed to foster inclusion, empowerment, and community integration.
Promoting Inclusion Through Sports
During the event, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), addressed participants and guests, emphasizing that the Ability Games are more than just a sporting competition. She described them as a powerful representation of courage, determination, and the extraordinary abilities inherent in every individual, regardless of physical limitations.
Oyetunde-Lawal stated, "This initiative serves as a vital reminder that talent knows no disability and that determination has no boundary." She highlighted the Lagos State Government's unwavering commitment to promoting policies and programmes that cater to every member of society, irrespective of gender, status, or physical ability.
She further noted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu continues to demonstrate a strong dedication to inclusive governance through the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda, ensuring that all residents, including PWDs, are supported and valued.
Enhancing Service Delivery for Vulnerable Groups
In a related development, the Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at improving service delivery for children, youths, and other vulnerable groups across the state. This initiative was implemented with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
Mobolaji Ogunlende, the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, spoke after the official handover of the document in Alausa, Ikeja. He affirmed the ministry's commitment to ensuring that all staff comply with the new guidelines. Ogunlende explained that the SOP will serve as a key framework to guide the ministry's operations and enhance the efficiency of its services to residents.
"This document comes at a crucial time and will provide clear procedures for the ministry's work," he said, underscoring its importance in streamlining efforts to support vulnerable populations.
Oluwatobi Opadokun, Senior Communications Officer at CEWHIN, added that the project was designed to provide technical support for social workers and youth development officers within the ministry. He noted that the initiative aims to strengthen professional social work practice and improve service delivery for children, youths, and other vulnerable groups, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need.
These efforts collectively underscore Lagos State's proactive approach to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all its residents, particularly those with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
