- The Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan hosts the IDPD 2021 at its Large Lecture Theatre on Friday, December 2021
- A multitude of students with various disabilities gather at the Faculty of Education
- The students had a chance to demonstrate their skills and talents on a raised platform
- Present at the event were distinguished faculty members of the University, including a representative of the Vice-Chancellor, Heads of Departments from College of Medicine, Faculty of Law, Social work, and Special Education
- The theme for this year’s IDPD is leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive accessible and sustainable post-covid- 19
The Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the Faculty of Education.
A large number of students with disabilities from various special needs schools had been invited to the event. Learners with special needs, led by their respective teachers, had an opportunity to present their skills and talents relative outside of the academic/classroom domain.
In one amazing instance of these presentations, exceptional students at Sterling School and Chesire told the audience, via charts and sign language, of the great potentials of students with disabilities to make something significant of their lives despite the tremendous amount of physiological and intellectual challenges they face.
“We are students with disabilities. We are amazing. We have a brain. We can think. We can solve problems. We hope society will change what they think of us.” A group of students had chorused to thunderous applause from the audience.
There were moments of pretty surreal moments at the event. A Deaf teacher, writer, and scholar, Raji Ade Oba, had led his Deaf students on the stage. He held a mic and spoke briefly. When Raji Ade Oba introduced himself and told the audience that he was Deaf, people sat up, for it is completely rare to see a Deaf person speak so clearly and artistically, let alone hold a microphone in the hand.
That was a very significant moment for the entire Deaf community in Nigeria.
Raji Ade Oba is seated before taking the stage at the IDPD, 2021, Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan.
Raji expressed his appreciation to the faculty members for their inclusive spirit. “I’m a Deaf teacher, he had begun. “Many years before now, I would be the least qualified person to be on this stage, simply because I’m Deaf. Today, the world has gotten quite inclusive—in the simple acts of disabled people being given a platform, being able to participate in nation-building. I am just so thankful for being here today.”
Raji Ade Oba spoke of the uniqueness of his students, introducing them one after the other, and announcing to the audience what each of his students can do beyond school activities. Raji Ade Oba commended every one of his students for their enviable vocational skills and their exemplary character.
Seated are the Students from a government-funded secondary school in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria.
Usman Akintola, Ayonitemi Fashola, Nafisat Folorunsho, Favour Digha, and young Abraham Desalu were the students of the Deaf teacher and speaker who all, together with other invited students, got cash prizes and packages.
Papers were presented at the event, based upon the theme for the year’s World Disability Day. Disability is not a barrier to personal growth and prosperity, DR. Kunle Adebiyi had announced. He said that while students with disabilities have latent talents and skills embedded in them, the government and civil organizations have a responsibility to make education equal and accessible to all children with disabilities.
Professor Ademokoya, a long-distinguished professor at the Department of Special Education made strong arguments of the milestones the professionals have reached in the education of students with exceptionalities.
Tasking teachers and professors for special needs students, Dr. Bosede Adebayo from the College of Medicine advised special education professionals to refocus their attention on delivering more effective educational instructions to students with disabilities. You have to be “deliberate” about educating these children, she said.
Several participants and members of the audience band together for an official photograph
Shortly after lunchtime, a vote of thanks was solemnly had, and Dr. O. O. Isaiah ended with a closing address.