By: Idris Busari
In commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), marked annually on December 3, the Department of Special Education, University of Ibadan hosted children with disabilities from selected schools in Ibadan on 5th of December 2022 at the Faculty of Education Car Park themed: “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fuelling Accessible and Equitable World”.
IDPD is marked to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society, and to raise awareness of the situation of affected persons in all aspects of human life. According to the World Health Organisation, over one billion people experience disability, and the figure is expected to rise.
In attendance were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University, Prof. Aderonke M. Baiyeroju; the Dean of Faculty of Education, Prof. O.A. Fakolade; the Head of the Department of Special Education, Dr. Ayodele Osisanya; Sub Dean Faculty of Education, Dr. Gbadamosi; Father of the day, Prof. I. A. Nwazuoke; the Head of the Department of Special Education, Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Prof. Olubukola Christiana; Assistant National General Secretary of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Ibadan, Mr. Raheem Yusuff Olatunji; Director of University Health Service, Dr. Aderonke B. Ajav and Chairman of Kappa Alpha Psi Club, Dr. Olusegun Sotiloye; among others.
The event started with an opening prayer by Dr. Komolafe following by the recitation of the National anthem, U.I. anthem and National Association of Special Education Students anthem by the President of the department of Special Education University of Ibadan, Ayanwole Boluwatife Joshua (Prof. B).
Dr. Ayo Osisanya appreciated the guest speakers, invited schools and teachers of persons with disabilities for their contributions to the social and academic welfare of the children.
The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. O. A. Fakolade appreciated the management of the University of Ibadan for their support towards the department of Special Education. “I appreciate the management of the University of Ibadan by assisting the department always”. He stated further by appreciating the Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Ibadan for gracing the occasion. “We are happy to have a big fish among us. We appreciate you so much ma”.
While addressing the attendees, Prof. Aderonke M. Baiyeroju appreciated pupils with disabilities and spoke about the need to be innovative in approaches to ensuring an accessible and equitable world for justice and fairness for persons with disability. “We are here today to appreciate persons with disabilities. Inclusive development is by not allowing differences of race, gender, class generation, physical disabilities etc. and ensures inclusion, equality of opportunity in the process of development”. She stated further on the efforts of the University Management in order to make the institution environment to be disability free. “As an institution, the University of Ibadan is set to prioritize the needs of students and staff with disabilities. Also, the management is working towards ensuring that all buildings are disability-friendly. Also, the new Faculty of Education building annex is a major project and hostel accommodation is also given priority for students with disabilities”. She concluded by hoping that working together (individually and collectively) will create a true inclusive environment.
Kappa Alpha Psi Club, an humanitarian club that caters for people that are less privilege was represented by their Chairman, Dr. Olusegun Sotiloye who presented a sum of #500,000 to cater for the visually impaired undergraduates in the department of Special Education. “We hope that this little token will be accepted from us as we are catering for just the visually impaired undergraduates this year. We look further to helping the less privilege and persons with disabilities in the community”.
One of the beneficiaries of the donation, Aboyeji Joseph appreciated the club for thinking of them as the beneficiary of the donation” On behalf of my colleagues and I, we appreciate you for making us the beneficiaries of this donation. This will go a long way to equip us to get our materials”.
Christian school for the deaf, Onireke and Child Clinic Special School, department of Special Education, University of Ibadan sang rhymes and entertained the audience with dancing.
The Head of Special Education Department, Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin, Prof. Olubukola Christiana explained on the need to inculcate inclusive education for persons with disabilities. “Talking about inclusive education, people with special needs are not different, we are all the same. They have human right to vote and be voted for as we are all equal in the society. When talking about barriers, we empathize with them rather than educating them. The benefits of technology in inclusive education are to make learning easy, to make us track students’ progress practices and to expose individuals to free resources”.
Mr. Raheem Yusuff Olatunji explained the need to educate persons with disabilities. “In order to bring out the best among persons with disabilities, parents are the first in the management of their children. If you have a child or children with disability, you are the first stakeholder. Show love and empathy to the child or children with disabilities and those without disabilities and educate them instead of hiding them”.
Professor Bukola Akinbola from the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan praised the University management for creating a policy that protects persons with disabilities in the institution. “The management of the University of Ibadan has created a policy for persons with disabilities since 2008 and Nigeria just gave the law in 2019. This shows that the University management has shown great concern for persons with disabilities”.
The Chairman of the planning committee of the IDPD, Dr. Isiah thanked everyone that graced the event while Dr. Lazarus made the closing prayer.
