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A top-class monarch in Yamaltu Emirate Council, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area, Gombe State, His Royal Highness Alh. Ahmad Usman (QS), Emir of Deba has thrown in massive support towards the success of the campaign for the implementation of the National Policy on Inclusive Education in Gombe State in particular, and the country at large.
The monarch made his stance known when Cedar Seed Foundation officials made a homage visit to his palace in Deba town.
The homage paid to the traditional ruler was part of the foundation’s effort towards ensuring effective adoption of the Federal government policy on Inclusive education in public schools and other relevant institutions in Gombe State and beyond.
Speaking before the monarch in his palace, the foundation’s Director for monitoring and evaluation, Miss Rebecca Hassan said the aim of the homage visit to the traditional ruler was to seek Royal blessings of the Emir before starting anything in the Deba Emirate council.
“Your Royal Highness we are here at the behest of the Board and Management of Cedar Seed Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization with the mission of providing services that support Persons With Disabilities to participate in all aspects of life by mainstreaming their issues and concerns into national development agenda based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities to seek your fatherly consent and royal blessings before starting this project in your council”, she said.
“We are on this advocacy visit to request your Royal Highness’ support and collaboration. We are aware that it will be invaluable for this project which is targeted at promoting the implementation of the National Policy on inclusive education in public schools and institutions to provide ample opportunities for students with disabilities to enroll in public schools and institutions anywhere, without discrimination whatsoever”, Miss Rebecca added.
She also said her team was very concerned with the ever increasing number of out-of-school children with disabilities in Gombe State and the country at large. According to Nigeria’s current population statistics, there are about 10 million children with disabilities in Nigeria. This represents 15℅ of the total population of children in the country.
Each state and the FCT are projected to an average population of about 270, 000 with different forms of Disabilities. Of these, only an average of 10,000 or less, per State are currently receiving some form of basic education through the few special needs schools and Inclusive units in both public and private primary/ secondary schools and other learning centres.
The Emir of Deba Alh Ahmad Usman (QS) who could not hide his displeasure with the manner children with disabilities are being treated in the society especially at family level, warned that God Almighty will not forgive parents who discriminate against their children with disabilities in terms of education.
He noted that a child with disability is not a curse but a blessing to his/her family and the community, clan or society which he or she belongs.
Emir Ahmad Usman said: “We all have a duty to protect this category of children, we must ensure they are all enrolled in schools established to cater for their education. I am in total support of this project which seek to advocate for Inclusive education for children with disabilities, I assure you of our unalloyed support to your mission, we will work together to achieve the lofty objectives of this project by the Grace of God”.