By Tokunbo Ogunsami
The convener and coordinator of a group, the Centre for Disability Affairs, Comrade Kehinde Oshilaja, has urged the Lagos State Government to stop incessant fire incidents at Okobaba in Ebute-Meta.
He spoke at the weekend at an end of the year programme organised by the group in conjunction with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), All Saint Parish, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, to celebrate Christmas and present gifts to members and non-members of the group.
Oshilaja said: “Fire incidents have become a recurring decimal, which have continued to have negative effects on people living with disabilities.
“The recent fire outbreak at Okobaba has left an indelible mark on the residents, especially people living with disabilities. I can tell you authoritatively that no fewer than 100 people living with disabilities were affected during the last fire incident. They have no homes, their jobs have been threatened, poverty and unemployment have become the order of the day in the area. The government should do something urgently to ameliorate their conditions.”
The chairman of the occasion, Prophet Sola Babafemi of Idapo Mimo Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, advised the physically challenged and all living with one disability or another to emulate Comrade Oshilaja, “who despite his condition as a visually-impaired, has been a major advocate of finding succour and better life for other physically challenged members in Lagos State and Nigeria.”
A representative of the partner church (RCCG), Pastor Ayo Odupe, said everybody is equal before God, “no matter your status, whether you are able bodied or physically challenged, but I want us to live in peace and be at peace with all.”
He hailed the initiative of members of the group to appreciate God despite their condition, stressing that “this is what is demanded from us, which has been a great trait identified with the group.”
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