As part of our recently concluded Disability Inclusion Training in Osun State, we are proud to highlight the remarkable contributions of four dedicated individuals who are making significant strides in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.

Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Olaniru Rita Oluwakemi, the Disability Desk Officer for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), brings both passion and personal experience as a parent of a child with a disability. She is a committed advocate for the protection and promotion of disability rights in Osun State. As a member of the Osun State Community Task Force for Women and Girls with Disabilities, she has completed JONAPWD’s two-part training on mainstreaming disability inclusion, enhancing her ability to lead change. Her leadership includes building the capacity of Disability Desk Officers across NSCDC divisions, advocating for awareness and enforcement of the Disability Rights Law, promoting accountability for rights violations, and handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence with sensitivity.

Adeniyi Oluwaseun Ezekiel, the Disability Desk Officer at the Osun State Ministry of Health, is dedicated to ensuring inclusive healthcare for persons with disabilities. Following our Disability Inclusion Capacity Building Training, Adeniyi played a pivotal role in advocating for disability-inclusive budgeting in health programming. His efforts have led to Osun State submitting an inclusive budget for 2026-2028, which allocates resources for annual disability inclusion training for 60 health workers across every local government area. This achievement exemplifies how advocacy can shape policy, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for persons with disabilities.

Ogunsola Oladunni, a devoted parent of a child with a disability, has taken meaningful action following our Capacity Building Training. Empowered by the sessions focused on caregivers, she advocated for her son’s school to enhance accessibility by relocating classrooms from the second floor to the ground floor. Her story underscores the vital role that empowered parents and caregivers play in advocating for inclusion within schools and communities, creating real change.

Abdullahi Olufunmilayo Janet, a Program Associate at the Center for Women’s Health and Information, brings over 20 years of experience as a media practitioner and community mobilizer dedicated to advancing disability rights and social inclusion. As the Osun State Coordinator of the Community Task Force for Women and Girls with Disabilities, Janet leads efforts to protect and promote the rights of women and girls with disabilities. Her impactful work includes driving media campaigns on disability rights, championing the rights of women affected by sexual and gender-based violence, mobilizing communities for inclusion, and training cultural and religious leaders on disability rights.

Together, these champions exemplify the power of advocacy and community engagement in creating a more inclusive society. Let us celebrate their efforts and continue to support the voices of those working tirelessly for disability rights in Osun State.