LASG INSISTS ON SAFE HAVEN FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to give special children a sense of belonging by creating a safe place for them to grow and be valuable to the society.
Disclosing this at the commissioning and handing over of the newly built recreational park for Modupe Cole Child and Treatment Home School at Akoka, Yaba, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule revealed that the desire of the State government is to improve on the existing model of creating the suitable environment for all children to be valuable.
The Deputy Governor, represented by the Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin stated that with the construction of the well-built recreational park, the management of the Mary Special Needs Foundation has done well to instil confidence and give them the opportunity to express themselves through sports and other recreational activities.
“The project is the best way to continue supporting these special children and make them part of the society. It is an assurance from the government and many organisations and us that we hold you close to our hearts and we are constantly thinking of programmes to ensure you live a fulfilled life”, she noted.
Dr. Adebule said the impact of the occasion is to remind many people that we can continue to support the government in many ways, adding that the construction of the facility should motivate organisations and well-meaning individuals to complement government’s efforts in making life better and brighter for the citizen.
While applauding the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for touching and impacting the lives of the special children, Adebule commended other corporate and religious organisations that have made tremendous contributions to the development of education in the State.
“I congratulate our children here at Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home and their teachers on the delivery of this facility and also appreciate the management of Mary Special Needs for their partnership in giving back to the society”, the Deputy Governor declared.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Wife of the Governor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Development, Mrs. Joyce Onafowokan said there is no better and noble cause than creating a wonderful future for the children of the less privileged, adding that nurturing of these special children should be the responsibility of all institutions in the society.
She disclosed that the facility provided by the care centre greatly adds value to teaching, learning and recreational of the physically challenged pupils in the school, stressing that it will also inspire others to see the need to cater for these children and value their existence.
Also speaking at the event, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, The Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Folashade Lediju revealed that in caring for the needs of these special children, the State government is running five special schools, 31 inclusive education units at the primary education level and 13 inclusive secondary schools to provide education and vocational skills for challenged children.
She said: “I am proud to recall that two pupils of this school won Gold Medal in Unified Soccer and Silver in 100-meter race competitions in the 2015 Special Olympics World Game in Los Angles, USA.
“What this says to me is that there is the great ability in disability if the resources are properly harnessed and directed towards productive purposes” she added.
Presenting a paper on the theme: “Changing the World of the person with special needs in institutions’, Dr. Modupe Olaiya revealed that barriers associated with the safety of special children deserve attention from all stakeholders and decisive action from decision makers is required to change the narrative”.
She said effective sensitisation of the public to respect the identity of these special individuals and always be willing to help would discourage them from roaming around and begging for alms.
“Today, many special people in our society are subjected to street begging because they lack proper care from their families. These people need to be given chance to work by evaluating and assigning them to the job according to their abilities as they also have potentials to contribute to the economic growth of the society” she asserted.
In her remarks, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Special Needs Foundation, Mrs. Abiodun Oseni said the society owe it a sense of responsibility to cater for the physical and psychological needs of these special children because it’s only through this that they can truly relate well and feel safe.
She, therefore, appreciated the State government for being a key crusader in programmes that offer the best and nurture the future of the children in the State, urging other institutions to find a way to cherish these children in their own capacity.