Luminous Deaf Scholastic Initiative (LUDESI) is an upcoming non-governmental organization (NGO) founded by Mrs Bernice Oyeleke together with her husband Mr. Olufemi Samson Oyeleke.
In pursuance of her objective to contribute to the educational development of Deaf students, LUDESI organized her first programme tagged ‘S-T-R-E-T-C-H 001’ on Friday, 17th January, 2020 at the Christian Mission for the Deaf, Onireke, Ibadan.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H 001 featured a quiz competition for deaf students in Ibadan alongside motivational speeches which were anchored by Deaf resource persons.
In her opening remarks, the host, Mrs Bernice Oyeleke mentioned that the programme was organized to achieve two major objectives. One; to boost the academic morale of the deaf students, and two; to alleviate the effects of limited opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities that deafness imposes on the same students.
Mr. Tobi Akintobi, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, delivered the first motivational speech with the topic “Zero to Hero – Diligence and Hardwork as Interface.” He explained the difference between diligence and hardwork and how both are needed for any students to rise to the top,
Ms. Aanuoluwapo Omoleye, a final year student at the University of Ibadan, spoke on “Deaf Girl Momentum.” In her speech, she charged the deaf female students to have a prospect in life and pursue it and not regard themselves as sex objects in any way.
Mr. Kelechi Miracle Eze gave the last speech. He challenged the students to try again should they fail in a speech titled “Rebound.”
Three secondary schools participated in the quiz competition at Senior and Junior level. The schools are Andrew Foster Memorial College, Onireke; Methodist Grammar School, Bodija; Ijokodo Grammar School, Ijokodo. Gifts were presented to the schools as Andrew Foster Memorial College emerged first position at both junior and senior levels.
The co-host, Mr Oyeleke, who also doubled as the program anchor, encouraged the students to put into practice what they have learnt.
The programme was supported by Christian Mission for the Deaf, Onireke, Ibadan; Chidi Topaz Olujie Foundation; Inclusive News Network, Mr Olufemi Ige, Mr Edmund Killian, Federal Education Quality Assurance Service, Ibadan.
Some photos from the programme
