The newly elected Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Ogun State, Ayo Awobona, has promised to strengthen unity among members, saying a united association would be better positioned to advocate for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
Awobona made the pledge while addressing journalists in Abeokuta after emerging chairman at the association’s election on Saturday.
He said his administration would focus on bringing together aggrieved members, pursuing the implementation of the Ogun State Disability Law and expanding partnerships with government institutions, private organisations and other stakeholders to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities.
According to him, resolving internal divisions within the association is a key priority because a united body would have a stronger voice in advancing its objectives.
“A lot, like I said earlier in my speech, depends on unity. If we really want to achieve much, we just have to bring ourselves together. That’s our number one assignment,” he said.
Awobona disclosed that two clusters within the association were currently facing disagreements, adding that efforts would be made to reconcile them and restore harmony.
“We have two clusters now that are having issues. By God’s grace, we will try to resolve whatever is causing the problem and bring them back into the JONAPWD fold. Once we all come together as one, our voice will not be divided in any way, and we’ll be able to achieve all that we have set out to do,” he stated.
He also said his leadership would intensify engagement with government agencies, the private sector and members of the public to encourage greater acceptance and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
“We are open to engagement with government parastatals, the public, the private sector, and society itself because we need a reorientation. Society must see us as part of them. We will bring all stakeholders together so they can understand who we are, how to relate with us, and how we can collectively move the association forward,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Awobona said the association would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission to improve voter education and increase the participation of persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
He praised the electoral commission for sending representatives to the association’s election, saying members benefited from information on the arrangements made to ensure accessible voting.
“I’m happy INEC was represented at our election today. They saw things for themselves, and we also heard from them about facilities and arrangements they have put in place for persons with disabilities that many of us were not aware of.
“We will take that information back to our members and continue to sensitise them so that, as elections approach, everyone knows their rights and understands that they can vote without difficulty,” he said.
Awobona added that the association would request INEC to organise voter registration exercises in communities where many persons with disabilities reside to reduce mobility challenges.
“Yes, we will be scheduling a meeting with INEC. We want to seek their support by arranging registration exercises in local governments or areas where our members are concentrated.
“If registration is brought closer to them, more persons with disabilities will participate because one of our biggest challenges is moving from one place to another,” Awobona added.
