Today 14th February was indeed a joyful day of love sharing and merriment as Hon. Olatoye Temitope Sugar, representing Lagelu / Akinyele Federal Constituency celebrated the Valentine’s Day with People Living with Disabilities and the less privileged in Oyo State.

The event which was held at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) was the 10^th edition of the Olatoye Sugar Foundation (OSF) Valentine Programme, a programme organised annually for the empowerment and assistance of People Living with Disabilities and the less privileged in the society.

Today’s event which featured special activities such as; wining and dining, awards and gifts presentations marked the culmination of the 2017 OSF Valentine’s Day Programme which began on 2nd of February, 2016 with free medical care and surgery for 2000 people.

The event was attended by several groups and associations such as Rotary International Group, Caring Climate Interpreters, Oyo State Special Sport Council, the National Association for the Deaf, National Association for the Blind, and many other people living with disabilities were present at the occasion.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the OSF Planning Committee, Prince Paul Adelabu, stated that the essence of the programme is not just to bring people together to eat and drink, but to show love and affection to people living with disabilities. “Valentine’s day is known as a day for lovers to show love. But Hon Sugar through OSF changed the purpose of valentine by organising this programme to remember and extend our love and affection to physically challenged people in the society, because they are most often neglected by the society,” he stated.

Hon Sugar who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while giving his key note address urged members of the public not to leave things into the hands of the government alone, adding that people can contribute their own little quota to the development of their community.

The Hon encouraged the people of Oyo state to venture into subsistence farming in other to tackle the prevalent challenge of hunger and poverty, citing a practical example of himself owning a 5000 acre cassava plantation. He added that empowering themselves will make people less dependent on the government. He ended on the note that the public should “embrace and practice the concept of change as change starts with you and I.”

Also speaking at the occasion was Professor Olawale Albert, a professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan who noted that although most politicians tend to be dishonest, however, Hon Sugar seems to be an exeption.

According to the Professor, “Hon Sugar has been able to keep his promise and commitment of empowering the poor and assisting the disabled for many year, through all the intervention programmes his foundation – OSF- have been embarking on.” Professor Albert also noted that if the remaining 359 honourable members of the Federal House of Representative should organise humanitarian projects like Hon Sugar is doing, then poverty will be reduced. He assured that hence forth, he will be a part of this yearly event.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Lekan Alabi while delivering his special address, decried the wanton embezzlement of public funds and corruption of political office holders, while masses are suffering the economic recession, adding that rather than siphon public funds, officials can organise intervention programmes such as Hon Sugar’s to help alleviate poverty in the society.

Chief Alabi commended the efforts and contributions of the Hon to societal development and empowerment of the less privileged. He also enjoined the general public to help and assist others with the little they have, saying “you don’t have to be rich to assist people. You can help others with the little you have.”

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of gift items to beneficiaries. Hon Sugar presented a car to the winner of the 2016 Miss Oyo Beauty Pageant, while the First and Second Runner-ups received a fridge and a microwave heater respectfully. A car was also presented to Suleman Caterpillar, a musician whose leg was amputated as a result of an accident.

Other numerous gifts such as artificial limbs, wheel chairs and walking canes were presented to the physically challenged. Some less privileged and people living with disabilities were presented with fridges, food items and many other gift items.

Speaking with CEOAfrica at the occasion, Mr Olushola Ogundola, the Executive Director Project Restoration International, a disability right organisation, commended the good works of Hon Sugar in according People Living with Disabilities the recognition and the respect they deserve in the society. He however criticized the marginalisation and discrimination physically challenged people often suffer in the society in terms of employment, ownership of land among others.

Mr Olushola therefore urged the media to join in the agitation for the government to sign into law the disability act that will ensure the inclusion of people living with disability in national policies.

Meanwhile, earlier today, Hon Sugar had visited the designated Hospital for the free surgery, Our Lady of Apostle Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Oke-Ofa, to visit the beneficiaries of the free surgery who had been operated on yesterday. He told CEOAfrica after his visitation at the hospital that about 15 patients with cataract had undergone surgery and about 70 more patients will be operated today.

He noted that 41 doctors from South Africa and Abuja, in addition to 12 doctors provided by the hospital were giving the beneficiaries optimal care.