Stakeholders seek stronger support, inclusion for children with disabilities

Stakeholders seek stronger support, inclusion for children with disabilities

Stakeholders have seek for stronger family, community and government support to ensure children with disabilities are fully included and empowered to thrive in society.

The stakeholders made the call at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Excellent Child Support Initiative (ECSI) held in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Also speaking, Prof. Samuel Adeniyi, a Professor of Special Education in the Department of Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), said that inclusive education became globally recognised after the 1994 Salamanca Conference.

Adeniyi said that the development marked a shift away from exclusion and segregation of persons with disabilities, promoting greater inclusion in society.

“Inclusion is about making everybody belong to a community without discrimination based on status, gender, economic background or disability,” he said.

Adeniyi said that children with disabilities do not need pity but empowerment.

“The only thing they need from us is empowerment. There is nobody without potential, and every child has abilities that can contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.

The professor identified the home as the starting point of inclusion, urging parents to consciously reject negative cultural beliefs and discrimination.

“If a child begins to receive negative reactions from home, society has already created a barrier for that child.

“We must create homes where love thrives and where every child is welcomed and given the opportunity to develop his or her potential,” he said.

Adeniyi advised parents not to hide children with disabilities or deny them opportunities because of their challenges.

“Accommodation is not merely providing shelter; it is giving every child the opportunity to achieve his or her purpose in life,” he said.

The don also urged teachers to see their profession as a mission of transforming lives rather than a means of earning income.

“A teacher can destroy many lives within minutes through negative attitudes, but a committed teacher can help a child discover purpose and contribute to humanity,” he said.

Adeniyi called on communities and governments to make public spaces, schools and infrastructure accessible to persons with disabilities, noting that inclusion begins at home, continued in school and completed in society.

The Founder of ECSI, Mrs Kafayat Amidu, said that the organisation began 10 years ago with six children and four staff members.

Amidu, however, said that the association had grown into a centre supporting more than 60 children with special needs through the services of 28 professionals.

According to her, the initiative is inspired by her son, Abdulazeez, who lives with cerebral palsy.

“ECSI was not founded in theory; it was born from personal experience. We wanted to create a centre where children with disabilities could learn, grow, thrive and be celebrated for their unique abilities,” she said.

Amidu said that the organisation had trained caregivers, empowered parents and strengthened families, adding that children with disabilities should be defined by their strengths and not their limitations.

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“As we celebrate this milestone, let us renew our shared commitment to inclusion.

“Inclusion is not merely an aspiration; it is a promise that every child deserves dignity, opportunity, quality education, compassionate care and a future filled with hope,” she said.

The founder expressed appreciation to the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development for their support.

She also appreciated the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), and the Physiotherapy Unit of General Hospital, Ikorodu for their support.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs Temitope Adisa, a businesswoman and mother of a 19-year-old boy living with autism, described ECSI as “a home away from home.”

Adisa said that her son had been in the school for three years and that the quality of care had given her peace of mind.

“Once I drop him in school, my mind is always at rest. They take care of him even more than we can at home. They give them good balanced nutrition and proper attention,” she said.

Adisa appealed to the Lagos State Government to provide more support for specialised schools caring for children with disabilities.

“We are appealing to the Lagos State Government to support this school because they are doing a great job, and we are happy seeing our children happy,” she said.

Another parent, Mr Moshood Shittu, said that his daughter had shown significant improvement after three years of therapy and learning at the centre.

“From the onset, she had speech difficulty, but there has been tremendous improvement.

“The school assessed her and recommended that she should be enrolled in a conventional school while continuing therapy here,” Shittu said.

According to him, his daughter now spends part of the week in a mainstream school and the remaining days receiving therapy and support at ECSI.

Shittu commended government’s efforts toward persons with disabilities, but said that more needed to be done.

“The government is doing something, but it is not sufficient. More still needs to be done for children of different abilities, so that they can display their potentials and contribute to society,” he said.

Shittu also urged parents not to hide children with disabilities, saying early intervention and social interaction were crucial.

“When you hide your challenges, it may end up hurting you. The earlier parents bring such children out and expose them to centres where their potentials can be identified, the better for the child and the family,” he said.