By JIROLTV Reporter Itoro Ekwere
In a demonstration of commitment to inclusive governance, the Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji,on Monday officially flagged off a comprehensive capacity-building training for all Public School Principals and Head Teachers, a move participants have overwhelmingly commended as “visionary” and “long overdue.”
The event, which was themed “Inclusive Education as a Transformational Tool for Students’ Success,” was declared open by the state Governor Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro.Governor Oyebanji stated that the initiative is a core part of his vision to build a society where no one is left behind. “I believe that an inclusive society is a prosperous one.My directive is clear and unwavering: we must create an environment where every child, regardless of ability, has equal access to quality education and the opportunity to thrive,” Prof. Adubiaro stated.
The Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, laid out the state’s strategic plan, titled ‘Inclusive Strategies and Plans for Ekiti State’.
She clarified that the government is not closing special schools but is “expanding opportunities” to give parents more options. She passionately called for a change in mindset, asserting that with adequate training, educators can effectively support all learners in a single, co-existing classroom.
Adding expert depth to the event, the guest speaker, Dr. Oyefeso, connected the state’s efforts to global standards, referencing the United Nations Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She explained that inclusive education is about making education accessible to all children and responding to the diversity of their needs, a principle she praised the Ekiti government for embracing.
The strong show of support from the state bureaucracy was confirmed by the presence of the Head of Service Dr.Folakemi Olomojobi also represented were top officials including the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr. Mike Omoloyo, and the Acting Executive Secretary of the Office of Disability, Mr. Bayo Odewole who noted the Governor’s ingenuity in tackling issues of inclusion in the state and urged participants to make reciprocate the Governor’s gesture by making the training a success.
However, the most resonant applause came from the participants themselves. In conversations with JIROLTV, the school heads expressed deep satisfaction with the initiative. They praised Governor Oyebanji for his dedication to Persons with Disabilities and for having the political will to launch a program aimed at full integration. While some practically noted that existing infrastructural realities would pose a challenge, they unanimously pledged their commitment to overcoming these hurdles. They described the training as an essential tool that has equipped them with the strategies and renewed mindset needed to implement the governor’s vision and ensure every child in Ekiti can learn, participate, and succeed together.
