In commemoration of the World Disability Day, the Lagos State government on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, celebrated special-needs pupils at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, LASUBEB, Maryland, Ikeja.
The gathering, which had in attendance various education stakeholders with pupils of special inclusive units in public primary schools, was aimed at mobilizing support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disability.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, noted that “in Lagos State, every child matters to us, every pupil counts. They are special and useful to us; this has been realized through their potentials and talents discovered by the Board. I am proud to be associated with them because, there is ability in disability.”
The SUBEB boss added that the present administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is running an all-inclusive basic education, which is not only focused on the cognitive domain, but affective and psycho-motor aspect of learning.
He urged parents and guardians keeping their challenged wards indoor to enrol them in schools, adding that special-needs children are endowed with various potentials, which can only be realized through exposure to basic education.
LASUBEB ember, Dr. Saheed Ibikunle, appreciated the pupils and teachers for not letting down their flags, despite the challenges faced by them.
He stated that the theme: ‘Leadership Participation of Persons with Disabilities Towards an Inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable Post COVID-19 World,’ is to promote an understanding of disability issues and also mobilize support for the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities.
He added that the celebration is to create awareness of outcomes to be derived from the integration of the challenged people in the political, social and moral aspect of life.
A Nollywood actress, Mrs. Funmilayo Bank-Anthony, stated that persons living with disabilities are special people that needs to be cared for in the society.
She urged the society to respect evolving capacities of the children with disabilities, with the right to preserve their identities.
