Stakeholders in Ekiti State have been urged to refrain from name-calling or labeling persons with disabilities (PWDs) by their conditions and instead recognize them as individuals with the potential to make meaningful contributions to society.
This call was made by the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, during an interactive meeting with stakeholders. The event was organized by her office in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), a World Bank-assisted project under the Ministry of Education.
Princess Agboola commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his unwavering commitment to the welfare and development of persons with disabilities in the state. She described him as a compassionate leader who prioritizes inclusive governance and ensures that PWDs are given equal opportunities to thrive.
In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Mrs. Bimpe Aderiye, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Michael Omolayo, outlined the various interventions implemented in special schools. These efforts, she said, align with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s vision of shared prosperity and transformative governance.
The AGILE Project Coordinator, Mrs. Yewande Adesua, highlighted significant achievements made by the project to enhance access and inclusivity for students with special needs. These include renovations of classrooms, procurement of digital and entrepreneurial training tools, and the provision of multi-sensory teaching materials, with investments totaling over ₦234 million.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mrs. Esther Oyefeso, the guest speaker, emphasized the need for equity and a positive mindset among stakeholders and caregivers of persons with special needs. She noted that everyone possesses unique strengths and has the capacity to contribute to societal progress.
While reacting, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, advocated for the inclusion of PWDs in the state’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) committee, stressing that individuals with disabilities are among the most vulnerable to GBV.
Also,Representatives from disability-focused organizations, including Mr. Foluso Olajide, Chairman of the Disability Affairs Board, and others such as Dr. Ebenezer Ogunlade and Mr. Sesan Aina, commended the organizers and the AGILE team for their efforts in supporting the three special schools in the state.
Key Resolutions
Summarizing the meeting, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Akin Abimbola, outlined the resolutions reached to improve the lives of PWDs in Ekiti State. The resolutions include:
Accessibility and inclusiveness in all areas of public life.
Development and implementation of inclusive education policies.
Creation of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Improved access to healthcare services tailored to the needs of PWDs.
Representation of PWDs in leadership roles and decision-making processes.
Development of PWD-friendly transportation systems.
Promotion of social integration and inclusion in family and community life.
Advocacy for loving and respectful attitudes toward PWDs.
Implementation of environmentally and architecturally inclusive infrastructure.
The meeting underscored the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to create a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities in Ekiti State.