Funmi Ogundare
The School Support Services department of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), recently joined their counterparts to commemorate World Disability Day.
The celebration themed, ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post Covid-19 world’, held at the board’s Multipurpose Hall, Maryland, saw pupils with varying disabilities showcasing their talents.
In his remarks, a Board member in charge of school support Services, Dr. Saheed Ibikunle said the programme was designed to promote understanding around issues of disability and create awareness that has to do with the dignity and wellbeing of the children.
He commended the teachers who have continued to stay by the pupils who are challenged saying, ” we need to increase awareness around the integration of people with special needs. Are we prepared to accomodate those with special needs by promoting all inclusiveness and ensuring they are not left out? To what extent are we integrating person with disability?”
The board member in charge of Special project, Bayo Adefuye described those who have disabilities as being able in a special way.
He recalled that those who represented Nigeria in the last Paralympic games, came back with medals.
” The real disability is in the way we think. We must change our perspective on the way we think as not all disability is visible,” he said.
The Chairman of the board, Wahab Alawiye-King said he believes that every child counts in Lagos as there is ability in disability.
He recalled an incident when he was physically incapacitated by illness saying, ” I know what it is to be physically challenged.”
He advised parents who are still hiding their wards with one form of disability or another to bring them out to relate and socialise with others which is part of development.