City Boy Movement donates mobility aids to PWDs in Oyo community

The City Boy Movement in Oyo State has distributed mobility aids to more than 300 persons with disabilities in Igboora, the headquarters of Ibarapa Central Local Government Area, reaffirming its commitment to promoting inclusion and improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking at the event, held at the Community Hall in Igboora, on Saturday, the state Director-General of the movement, Olufemi Onireti, said the initiative was part of the group’s ongoing humanitarian interventions aimed at supporting underserved communities across the state.

He said, “The organisation had previously carried out similar programmes in Ogbomoso and would soon extend the intervention to other zones, including Oke-Ogun and Ibadan, to ensure that more persons with disabilities benefit from the scheme.

“We are here to provide mobility support for our special people in Ibarapa. This is one of several community interventions we have embarked upon, but this programme is unique because it focuses on persons with disabilities. We have done something similar in Ogbomoso and will continue the outreach across other parts of Oyo.”

Onireti noted that the exercise was driven purely by humanitarian considerations, dismissing suggestions that it was connected to political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I am not running for any political office. This is simply about giving back to society and reaching out to those who genuinely need support. As the Director-General of the City Boy Movement in Oyo State, I believe we must continue to impact lives positively,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government had demonstrated commitment to the welfare of persons with disabilities and expressed optimism that more policies and programmes promoting inclusiveness would be implemented.

The state Director for Persons with Disabilities of the movement, Adebambo Olabisi, described the initiative as a timely intervention that would restore dignity and improve the mobility of many beneficiaries.

She said many persons with disabilities had been unable to move around independently because they could not afford mobility equipment, stressing that the donated items would significantly improve their daily lives.

“Our people have suffered for years due to the lack of mobility aids. With these items, many of them will be able to move freely, engage in productive activities and become more independent,” she said.

Responding to calls by beneficiaries for greater economic empowerment and financial support, Olabisi assured them that the distribution marked only the beginning of the organisation’s intervention.

“This is one step at a time. We are starting with mobility support, but more programmes that will improve the lives of persons with disabilities are being planned,” she added.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Saidat Odesanmi expressed appreciation to the movement for the gesture, describing the mobility aids as life-changing.

She said the intervention would enhance the mobility and independence of many persons with disabilities while appealing to government agencies, corporate organisations and philanthropists to complement such efforts with skills acquisition programmes, business grants and employment opportunities to promote full inclusion in society.

The event attracted community leaders, youth representatives, disability advocates and residents, many of whom commended the initiative and called for similar interventions to be replicated across other parts of the country.