OGUN SETS TO ENHANCE LIVELIHOOD OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Government has distributed additional 30 wheelchairs to children and learners with mobility restrictions in furtherance of its determination to improve their living condition.

It will be recalled that the government had earlier distributed 25 wheelchairs to learners across the State at Daniel Akintonde Model School in Abeokuta to mark the World Wheelchair Day.

Speaking while distributing the wheelchairs at the School for Children with Special Needs, Sagamu, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said good health and facilities would encourage better learning outcome, adding that the gesture would enable the beneficiaries to be mobility self-reliant.

“The Ogun State Government understands the importance of education for all, including persons living with disabilities. This administration is making effort to improve the learning environment for special learners”, Arigbabu said.

The Commissioner assured of more support for the schools, as government would continue to make available devices that would help the learners grow and develop into better individuals and productive members of the society.

In her keynote address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye said the present administration has given due recognition to the prospects, wellbeing and challenges of special needs children, saying that equal opportunities, accessibility of the environment and social infrastructure were the fundamental rights of all citizens regardless of diversity.

Ogunleye enjoined the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the wheelchairs, urging them to be steadfast, goal-oriented and focused in their academic pursuits.

In his welcome address, the Director of Special Needs department, Mr. Oluwole Majekodunmi revealed that within the last three months, the State government has added value to the betterment of special needs learners, encouraging individuals and corporate bodies to extend their hands of fellowship to create comfortable and enabling environment for them to live in.

Responding, some of the parents of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Aminat Adewusi and Mrs. Olubukunola Ojo appreciated the government for the gesture towards their children, saying the equipment distributed would be a big relief for them and go a long way to make life easier for their wards.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Favour Etom of Nawair-ud-deen High School, Isabo Abeokuta and Malik Amusa from School for Children with Special Needs, Ijebu-Ode lauded the State government’s efforts at making life meaningful for them.