…..Advocate for Ramps, hand railings, and visibility markings in all building constructions
Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and Stakeholders in the area of Special Education have commended Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for his remarkable strides in promoting inclusivity and providing global standard care for PWDs.
The commendations were made at an interactive meeting organized by the State Ministry of Education, the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning (AGILE), and the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion in Ado Ekiti.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Adebimpe Aderiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Mike Omolayo, lauded the Governor for ensuring that every child, regardless of ability or disability, has access to quality education.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Olapeju Babafemi disclosed that as part of efforts to advance the rights of women with disabilities, the Governor’s has approved the inclusion of PWDs representative in the State Gender-Based Management Committee chaired by the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji.
She called for greater support for PWD women, who are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence.
In her address at the event, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, highlighted the transformative efforts of the Oyebanji led- administration in addressing the needs of PWDs.
She disclosed that her Office has in the past one year identified and intervened in the lives of over 200 physically challenged individuals.
According to her, several of the PWDs were admitted into the State Government Special Schools while others were trained and empowered in various vocations
She warned parents and guardians of PWDs of school age against concealing them at home stressing that this was detrimental to the future of these children.
Agboola noted that “PWDs particularly children among them should be encouraged to display their potential, irrespective of their disabilities”.
She noted that people with disabilities across the world including Adebolu Adejobi, a child who has cerebral palsy and Kodi Lee, a virtually impaired child have been able to distinguish themselves in terms of intelligence and their God Given talents despite their disabilities
According to her, while Adejobi recorded the best WAEC results in his school while Kodi Lee has been able to display his talents in singing and playing musical instruments.
The Special Adviser further noted that over 5% of employment opportunities in the State Public Service are reserved for PWDs.
She disclosed that this is in addition to the recruitment of sign language interpreters in critical sectors such as healthcare, education,and public service as well as the provision of free medical insurance opportunities for PWDs across state primary healthcare facilities.
Agboola called on medical personnel, banks officials, security agents, and social institution workers to step up their communication skills in sign language.
She encouraged them to utilize the EKSG Special Education and Social Inclusion Facebook page.
The Special Adviser described Governor Oyebanji as “PWD-friendly,” noting that the state’s three Special Schools have been renovated and equipped with modern pedagogical materials as Ekiti has become the first in Nigeria to employ therapists in Special Schools and first to establish children therapy clinics to address the emotional, sociological, and physiological needs of children with disabilities.
In her address, the Ekiti State AGILE Coordinator, Mrs Yewande Adesua disclosed that about N191 million has been invested in the three Special Schools for various projects, including, renovation of hostels classrooms, provision of learning equipments, provision of vocations entrepreneur and the creation of an enabling environment for students with disabilities.
In their goodwill messages, stakeholders including Chairman of the Board of the Disability Affairs Agency, Dr Ebenezer Ogunlade; Mr. Sesan Aina and CEO of a Non Governmental Organization, Disability Not a Barrier Initiative, Engr Samuel Olajide praised the state government for its pioneering efforts on PWD.
They also cautioned women against use of unprescribed drugs during pregnancy, which could lead to disabilities in their unborn children.
In her lecture titled “Inclusivity and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in the 21st Century,” Dr. Esther Oyefesobi made several recommendations, including: Establishing more Special Schools to accommodate rising enrollment. Training teachers in Special Education and introducing Special Education programs in Ekiti Universities; Creating neurodivergent-friendly space; Providing PWD-compliant transportation systems; Incorporating Braille labeling on medications for the visually impaired; Encouraging societal shifts to reduce stigma and promote inclusivity.
The Director General of the Bureau of Public Asset, Arch. Temitope Oni, urged construction engineers to implement ramps construction, hand railings, visibility markings, PWD compliant width and non-slip materials in all buildings to enhance accessibility for PWDs.
The stakeholders collectively called for the total inclusion of PWDs in leadership roles and public life.
They advocated for calm spaces for neurodivergent individuals and the mandatory installation of PWD accessibility features in all public institutions, including schools, banks, supermarkets and hospitals.