LASODA Empowers 100 Elderly Citizens With Disabilities Through Yuletide Support Initiative

In a move to ensure social inclusion during the festive season, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), has empowered 100 elderly citizens living with disabilities. The initiative, tagged “Cash Support and Medical Outreach to Elderly Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Caregivers,” also extended its reach to elderly parents who care for children with disabilities, providing a much-needed safety net for vulnerable households.

The empowerment programme, held at the LASODA premises in Alausa, aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus agenda, which prioritizes the welfare of the vulnerable. The event featured a dual-pronged approach: the disbursement of direct cash grants and the provision of specialized medical screenings. This annual gesture is designed to alleviate financial burdens and ensure that senior citizens with physical challenges have access to essential healthcare.

​General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, emphasized that the financial support is aimed at promoting dignity and social protection. She noted that the agency's goal is to create a Lagos where every resident, regardless of age or physical ability, can participate fully in society. "Our goal is to empower, not merely to give," she stated, highlighting that the funds would help beneficiaries meet personal needs, improve mobility, and support small livelihood activities.

​Addressing the emotional concerns of the participants, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal acknowledged the common fear among elderly caregivers regarding the future of their children. She reassured them of the government’s long-term commitment to providing a support system that outlives their individual efforts. She encouraged the beneficiaries to maintain open communication with the government to ensure their rights and welfare remain a top priority in state planning.

Beneficiaries at the event expressed overwhelming gratitude, noting that the intervention arrived at a critical time during the yuletide celebrations. Many of the elderly citizens described the cash support as a "lifeline" that would allow them to celebrate Christmas with dignity. The successful outreach reaffirms LASODA’s resolve to continue advocating for the rights and full integration of persons with disabilities into the social and economic fabric of Lagos State.