The Nigerian Navy has commissioned a newly constructed four-room hostel for handicapped children in the Tudun Maliki area of Kano State.
The hostel, which includes a matron’s room and a solar-powered borehole, was officially inaugurated by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. The project was sponsored by Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, a native of Tudun Maliki and a senior research fellow at the Nigerian Army Heritage Center in Abuja. It was approved under the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme, launched in 2024, to enhance the Navy’s civil-military cooperation and foster security development, particularly in Kano, where the Navy’s Logistics School is located in Dawakin Tofa.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Abba Yusuf, represented by the State’s Director General, Special Services Government House, Air Vice Marshal Umar Idris, stressed the importance of providing children with disabilities access to quality education. He emphasized that inclusive education is crucial in helping them develop their skills, achieve their full potential, and actively participate in society.
“Unfortunately, children with disabilities are often overlooked in education policies, limiting their access to education and their ability to participate in society,” the governor stated.
Citing data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), he noted that Nigeria has over 10.5 million out-of-school children, with 5 to 7 million of them living with disabilities. He further pointed out that Nigeria is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly Article 24, which mandates that all schools be inclusive and accessible to children with disabilities.
The governor highlighted Kano State’s efforts in ensuring that children with disabilities receive an inclusive education, allowing them to learn in mainstream schools and classrooms.
“We make sure that handicapped children enjoy inclusive education, an approach that provides all children, including those with special needs and disabilities, equal access to quality education within mainstream schools and classrooms. We emphasize the idea that children with disabilities are just as competent as those without disabilities and should be included in regular education settings wherever possible,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of handicapped children and promoting social security within the state. He noted that the government had expanded the mandate of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to encompass children and individuals with disabilities to enhance their quality of life.
“To address the needs of society, including handicapped children, our government has expanded the mandate of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to encompass children and individuals with disabilities, aiming to enhance their quality of life through the following policies. We remain committed to addressing issues such as job creation, access to tertiary education, and provision of scholarships, guided by the principle of inclusiveness in ensuring that all segments of society benefit from democracy.”
Also speaking at the event, the CNS, represented by the Navy’s Director of Civil-Military Cooperation, Rear Admiral Michael Igwe, described the project as part of the Navy’s efforts to honor its distinguished officers and strengthen its bond with the public.
“The commissioning of the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project undertaken by an illustrious son of Tudun Maliki, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, is yet another watershed moment in the Nigerian Navy’s civil-military cooperation efforts. Indeed, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas’ choice to put smiles on the faces of these adorable children of the Torrey Home for Handicapped Children typifies Maya Angelou’s avowal that kindness takes courage.
“This project will certainly not be forgotten. We appeal to the good people of Tudun Maliki and Kano State at large to continue collaborating with the Navy, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and other security agencies to eliminate threats to our collective well-being.”
He further called on the local community to take responsibility for maintaining the facility, expressing hope that it would significantly improve the quality of life for the children.
The project’s sponsor, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, acknowledged the growing number of handicapped children in the community and explained that the initiative was not only aimed at easing their struggles but also served as a way to commemorate the peak of his naval career.
“As a way of saying thank you for the sacrifices of the sons and daughters of this State in the Nigerian Navy and to particularly honor me for reaching the zenith of my career in the Navy, this project was approved by the Chief of the Naval Staff,” he stated.