Owena Press boss assures PWDs of media support

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) have been assured of adequate support from the media if they are able to pass through appropriate channel in engaging them to champion their cause.

Heads of media organisations gave the assurance at a day workshop organised for PWDs by Helpmate Global Right Development Foundation (HGRDF), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), tagged “Roles of The Media In Advocating For The Rights and Privileges of Persons With Disabilities” held at Osolo’s palace hall in Isolo, Akure ,the state capital.

Chairman/Editor in Chief of Owena Press Limited, Publisher of The Hope titles, Sir Ademola Adetula stressed the need for PWDs to understand the ways the media work and also ensure cordial relationship with various media.

According to him, there are approximately one billion persons living with disabilities in the world ,hence the need for them to engage the media more in advocating for their rights and privileges.

He assured that the media do not have wrong perspective about the PWDs and will continue to support them in achieving their goals.

Also speaking, the Chairman OSRC/Orange FM stations, Mr Kunle Adebayo who was represented by the Assistant Director of OSRC, Mr. Lawrence Akindele charged the PWDs to be united and speak with one voice as a way of encouraging the media to promote their rights and dignity in the society.

Delivering a lecture on the theme of the workshop, the Head of News of Orange FM station, Mr Akinwumi Abodunde who maintained that every human being is disadvantaged in one way or the other while anybody can become disadvantaged at any stage of his or her life noted that the world will be a better place, if everybody realises that we all need one another .

Another guest speaker, Mr. Akoje Elly averred that the recently signed law on the discrimination against PWDs (Prohibition) Act 2018 has opend  a new chapter of hope for this set of people in the country who have over the years endured all forms of discrimination and unfriendly environment.

Presenting a paper on “The Position of CSOs in Advocating for the Rights and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities in the Society”, Pastor (Mrs) Yinka Odedele said that the NGOs need  to play a key role in the provision of community based disability service which will help to get all PWDs in the right position and get their rights assured and given.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Director of HGRDF, Mrs Adenike Oluwadare explained that the reason for organising the programme was to engage stakeholders and policy makers in the implementation of the PWDs law signed by  President Muhammadu Buhari in January this year,  where the media will play a significant role in creating awareness to ensure proper implementation .