Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, expressed unwavering confidence in the abilities of individuals with disabilities during the 2023 International Day of People with Disabilities. In a resolute address, Governor Oyebanji underscored the collective duty of governors and leaders to assist those with disabilities in fulfilling their divine mandates.
He affirmed his enduring commitment to their welfare, citing the establishment of the Office of Special Education and Social Inclusion and calling upon government entities to rally behind policies catering to this demographic.
Governor Oyebanji stated, “No one is created useless, and as the Governor of the state, I am resolutely committed to their welfare.”
The governor emphasized the absence of a monopoly on government structures or policies, citing the creation of the Office of Special Education and Social Inclusion and the appointment of Mrs. Adetoun Agboola as a special adviser. He urged robust support for policies beneficial to people with disabilities and teased forthcoming initiatives, including adaptive classrooms across the state.
Addressing parents, Governor Oyebanji urged proactive support for government initiatives and cautioned against turning special schools into neglectful dumping grounds. He reiterated his commitment to aiding individuals with disabilities in realizing their divine purposes in life.
Mrs. Adetoun Agboola, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, lauded the governor’s unprecedented strides in the sector, appealing to parents and participants not to discriminate and to back government initiatives.
Key figures, including State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Dayo Apata and Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, voiced support for the governor’s initiatives for those with special abilities.
The event showcased a presentation of awards to deserving students, parents, and members of special schools, featuring a notable portrait of Governor Oyebanji crafted by Master Eniola Awelewa, a physically challenged student from Ido Ekiti.
The governor’s advocacy for those with special abilities manifested in tangible ways, such as classroom renovations, school bus refurbishment, seminars, and a revised curriculum, contributing to an uplift in their welfare. The event culminated in vibrant chorography, games, and musical interludes by students from the three government special schools.
