…as Katamaran, Lekki Decks donate to orphanage
National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as the Pyrates Confraternity, Katamaran Deck, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and the Lekki Deck, has urged all Nigerians to rise to the challenge of ending discrimination against and promoting the rights of persons living with disabilities in the society.
The decks stated this in commemoration of the 2022 International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
Both Katamaran and Lekki Decks of the Pyrates’ Confraternity located in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria and Lekki, Lagos, respectively, jointly donated foodstuffs and other food materials as well as pharmaceutical drugs to the Eruobodo Orphanage home.
Speaking on the gesture, Capoon of the Katamaran Deck comprising Ijebu and Remo lands with secretariat in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Mr Olumide Fagbohunka, said the two decks took the decision to collaborate in paying a visit to the orphanage home to donate the food items and other materials in order to identify with the plight of people living with disabilities.
He said that since discrimination against people living with disabilities remained a serious issue in the society, the special day should not only be a celebration, but an opportunity for all Nigerians to stop to examine what has been achieved, and what is still left to do with regard to ending discrimination against people living with disabilities.
Fagbohunka wondered whether the plight of people living with disabilities is taken into consideration when it comes to accessibility to community facilities.
He noted that policy makers can make a huge difference in the lives of Nigerians with disabilities in so many ways to give them a sense of belonging.
The Katamaran Deck Capoon expressed regrets that people living with disabilities still face a huge problem of discrimination.
He stressed that people with disabilities are members of the larger society, who should not be discriminated against in any form but encouraged.
Fagbohunka added that the challenge to achieve a society that is free of discrimination against people living with disabilities rests with everyone.
He urged all Nigerians to ensure they play a part in the inclusion process to fully integrate and accommodate people living with disabilities.
He said, “Government and individuals must facilitate change in our traditional attitude towards people living with disabilities. We must include them as we do other members of our society as part of our lives, at school, work or in community and sporting activities. Let’s work with disability advocacy organisations to achieve positive change. We must
support many areas in which we can all facilitate change.
“We should stop seeing people living with disabilities as victims because they are in reality people seeking equality in our society.”
Fagbohunka, however, noted that the Katamaran Deck in partnership with the Lekki Deck decided to seize the opportunity of this year’s International Day of Persons With Disabilities to sensitive members of the society in the Ijebu-Ode axis of Ogun State.
He said that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Not All Disabilities Are Visible,” was to create the awareness amongst people that not all disabilities are visible.
He said, “Some disabilities like mental health disorder, chronic pain and fatigue are invisible. We’re out to make people understand that people with disabilities should be treated equally with the rest of the society.
“As members of the National Association of Seadogs, we’re out here to reach out and as well speak for people with disabilities, that they also deserve all what is applicable to able bodied and that they must not be discriminated from every other people in the society.”
The President of the Lekki-Ikoyi chapter of NAS, Mr Sunny Agbejuasan, enjoined government at all levels to promote policies that would ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against in the society.
He said, “National Association of Seadogs aka Pyrates Confraternity, Lekki-Ikoyi Chapter joins the rest of the word in marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of persons with disabilities and ensuring that their rights and well-being are promoted.
“We earnestly believe that disability in any form should not impede the individuals suffering from it in making meaningful contribution to the society and also to be able to live a dignified life. It is on this premise that the association regularly makes contribution towards alleviating the plight of people with disability.”
The Administration Officer of the Eruobodo Orphanage, Mrs Odunsi, was full of appreciation to the members of NAS.
She acknowledged that it was not the first time the home would receive support from the Katamaran Deck, thanking them for their usual support.
She noted that inspite of the economic crunch in the country, NAS members were still able to donate to the orphanage.
On 16 December 1992, the General Assembly of the United Nations appealed to Governments around the world to observe December 3 of each year as International Day of people with a disability all over the world.
The aim of observing this day each year is to increase awareness, and understanding, of disability issues, and the gains to be derived from the integration of people with a disability in every aspect of life.