Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has advocated increment in the budgetary allocation for special needs children in the state.
Mrs Abiodun said the advocacy by the government was to assist in reducing stigmatisation and further bring about national development.
Mrs. Abiodun stated this during a 4-Day Capacity Building Programme, organised by her Office, in collaboration with Jesse’s Place Foundation, a United Kingdom-based Non-Governmental Organisation of Special Needs Professionals for Special Needs Caregivers in the State, held at the June 12 Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta.
She said to provide resources, technology and other infrastructures would require a lot of cash to achieve.
She said ” part of our works, therefore, should be advocacy with the government, to significantly increase yearly budgetary allocations to special needs education within our state.
” We are not oblivious of the challenges that lie ahead because of the complexity of our society.
“This is why advocacy will not end with the government but, will extend to the parents, religious organizations, traditional rulers and the entire community.”
Speaking on the efforts made so far on the special needs children in the state , Mrs Abiodun said the renovation of the State’s Special School in Sagamu has been completed.
She added that the renovation was to give adequate attention to the children who had been neglected for some time, promising to replicate same in the remaining four Special Needs Schools in the State.
According to her, as one of the two Champions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria, I am committed to the welfare of children and youths with special need in the State.
She noted that the present administration would continue to ensure a conducive environment for them.
She said “I am immensely pleased with the progress that we have made with the renovation of our four schools special needs school on Sagamu.
Earlier in her goodwill message, the State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said plans were underway to partner some Non-Governmental Organisations that specializes in the care of people with special needs in the State.
She stressed the need for advocacy against neglect and stigmatization of the affected persons and their families.
She advised parents to pay adequate attention to their newborns and be vigilant, in order to detect disabilities early and get proper medical care for them.
One of the Guest Speakers at the event, Mrs. Sola Ogunde of the Jesse’s Place Foundation, who spoke on the topic, ‘Understanding or Redefining Disability in Nigeria’, pointed out that children with special needs had innate qualities which could only be harnessed, when they were loved and treated with compassion, appreciating Mrs Abiodun for her concern and care for the children.
