The Physically Challenged in the Southwest have requested for a separate ministry to take care of the people in the category.
The physically challenged who are members of an umbrella body in the Southwest, The Association of the Physically Challenged Southwest, made the plea in Lagos yesterday during a solidarity visit to the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate, Dr Gani Adams, whose intervention they craved with southwest governments to make the provision of a ministry for them possible.
Speaking through their spokesman, Prince Paul Adelabu who said there are over 25m physically challenged in the country, the physically challenged said a separate ministry for them would enhance their welfare and allow government cater for them better.
Insisting that the 25m figure increases on daily basis, Adelabu said motorcycle accident victims add to the figure regularly, stressing that it is imperative that government begin to consider the welfare of the people in the category.
Appealing to the Aare Ona Kakanfo to make case for the physically challenged in the Southwest, the spokesperson said it was jubilation galore among members when news got to them about Adams as the choice for the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo.
According to him, Adams is better positioned more than ever before to cater for the physically challenged just as they thanked the Aare for his previous assistance.
Reacting, the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate promised to do all within his best to ensure an improved life for the physically challenged.
He stated that it is important for the government to take good care of its physically challenged, adding that if a country is in turmoil, it is as a result of what its government should do that it is not doing.
Submitting that the country can afford to take care of its physically challenged like the European governments, Adams explained that before now, his Gani Adams foundation has been organising programs for the physically challenged adding that he will do more than before as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land.
According to him, the physically challenged should be pampered, adding that it is time government consider a separate ministry for them because it is important they live comfortable lives.
