It is no longer news that above other states in the country, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has done so much to be applauded for.
From the priority given to the well-being of the persons with disabilities one can categorically say that he has restored more than just confidence in them but has also given them the hope to face life with a smile.
Just recently he approved their employment into the State Teaching Service which is first of its kind in the history of Oyo State as well as the country Nigeria, and by and large, this gesture has been greeted with lots of commendations from every corner of the world. But as beautiful as this has been, there is a missing clause yet to be fixed to make it whole.
You will recall that during the first tenure of Engr Makinde in office, at least a person with disability was appointed either as SA or Supervisory Councilor in each ward of every Local Government and in no small measure did not only encourage their participation in politics but also became a vocal point in international discussions with a promise that it would not be a one time experience but a custom to adopt even in subsequent years.
So far as it is today, the Local Government elections in Oyo State had been done and almost every political office has been fixed, but this time, no person with disability has yet been considered as promised.
There have been a lot of insinuations, some said the omission is deliberate as the Governor just gave out the first term slots to seek re-election, while others said that the process is being stalled by some power brokers. But personally I want to believe that the Governor has done too much to play politics with such, and by this I hope the Governor clears the doubt before it becomes a roundtable topic where the intent would be misconstrued.
-Boluwatife Inaolaji,
Ishara Remo.
