Aare Tolu Bankole Supports Ogun JONAPWD With ₦1M

Published

1 month ago

January 7, 2026

‘Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja

DAILY COURIER – Aare (Honourable) Durotolu Bankole, the National Leader for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a member of the party’s National Working Committee, has donated ₦1 million to the Ogun State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD). The gesture was made during a stakeholders’ meeting on January 6, 2026, at the JONAPWD Centre in Abeokuta.

The donation is specifically aimed at supporting minor renovations of the JONAPWD Centre, particularly the meeting hall, and stimulating ongoing activities to attract greater stakeholder and government attention. In addition to the cash support, Bankole donated five bags of rice to assist members of the association.

The meeting brought together Ogun JONAPWD executive members, cluster chairmen and representatives, and selected cluster members, who engaged Bankole on critical challenges facing PWDs in the state. Key issues raised included the full implementation of the Ogun State Disability Law, renovation and maintenance of the JONAPWD Centre, mobility difficulties, access to health insurance, unaffordable education, shortage of special teachers in public schools, and the urgent need for a Special School in Ota.

In response, Bankole disclosed that he had previously discussed the implementation of the Disability Law with Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Chief of Staff, assuring the gathering of his continued follow-up until the law is fully operational. He also stressed the importance of sustainability, urging JONAPWD to initiate internal fundraising among its clusters for routine centre maintenance—a proposal the association accepted as a collective responsibility.

Bankole further advised the leadership to formally communicate other pressing concerns to the Governor through the Chief of Staff, with copies to him for effective advocacy. He encouraged members to stay resilient, proactive, and united in pushing for PWD rights and welfare.

Immediately after the meeting, Ogun JONAPWD began identifying priority areas for urgent repairs and contacted artisans for quotations to kick-start renovation work without delay.

This latest intervention builds on Bankole’s recent nationwide New Year initiative, announced on January 2, 2026, in which he disbursed over ₦5 million as a “New Year Support (Lunch Gift)” to hundreds of PWDs across various clusters, including the Ogun State Association of the Deaf (OGSAD) and visually impaired groups. Each beneficiary received ₦20,000 directly into their bank accounts, earning widespread appreciation, including a formal thank-you letter from OGSAD Chairman Comrade Salami Rasheed Gbenga.

Bankole’s consistent support aligns with his broader advocacy for the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on social protection. His philanthropy has long included grants, scholarships, mobility aids, and welfare packages that have empowered numerous individuals.

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Local JONAPWD leaders hailed the donation as a timely boost for community networks and self-reliance. “Aare Bankole’s actions reflect genuine leadership and compassion, inspiring us to take greater ownership of our development,” a representative noted.

As Nigeria’s PWD community continues to navigate barriers to inclusion, targeted interventions like this reinforce the importance of collaborative efforts between advocates, political leaders, and government in fostering equity and sustainable progress.