Ekiti State’s Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has promised to prioritize the welfare and wellbeing of special People by providing enabling environment for them to thrive irrespective of their circumstances.
Governor Oyebanji, made the commitment while unveiling the state’s first therapy Centre for special Children, built through partnership with Premium Trust Bank, said he would not relent in his drive to ensure social inclusion for everyone living with one form of ailment or the other until they are reunited with the mainstream society.
He added that the multi-sensory and therapy centre was provided to meet the diverse needs of the special children, promised to transform them to achieve their potentials in life.
Facilities at the centre include: Therapy jungle gym, Calming tents, Hammock, Balance beams, TENS machines, bikes, Calming swings, Body sock and educational equipment. Some of the accessibility fittings include
Fully ramped Swing up bars and hand rails in the rest rooms.
The Governor also disclosed that in the drive to reposition the sector for effective service delivery, his administration has employed speech therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists at the public special schools.
He also gifted the centre a bus to ease transportation
“Recently, we saw a boy who used to be on one side crutches walking unaided for the first time due to therapeutic intervention. This made me shed tears. With support and modern equipment for their schools and centres, they will live a better life.
“Today, we take a monumental step forward by commissioning this public therapy facility which will provide essential speech, occupational and physiotherapy services to those children who cannot attend school due to the severity of their conditions. Some of these children have become burdens to their parents and the traditional schools reject them and some just need this therapy to advance in life.
“Whatever the children’s situation are, as a state we are committed to supporting them, they are our children, created by God and will never leave them to suffer through life.
“This event also marks a significant milestone in our journey towards creating an inclusive society where every child, regardless of his abilities has the opportunity to thrive. As we gather to commission this public therapy facility for children with special attention, I am deeply honoured and filled with hope for the future that lie ahead for these remarkable children.
“This project is made possible through the collaborative efforts of our administration and our generous partner, Premium Trust Bank led by a compassionate gentleman, Mr Emmanuel Emefienim,
“Over the past two years, our administration has tirelessly focused on enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities, we have launched several initiatives. Some of the initiatives include adaptive room initiatives where the children can learn using multi-sensory materials and therapy rooms across the three special schools, it is the first of its kind in any public school in Nigeria.”, He stated.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Premium Trust Bank, Mr Emmanuel Emefienim expressed delight that he was part of the commissioning of a remarkable project aimed to enliven the lives of physically challenged in the society adding that his organization’s contribution to the project was based on compassion and selfless service to leverage on ensuring necessary provision for the urgent needs of the children.
Emefienim commended Governor Oyebanji for providing the necessary impetus and conducive environment to drive public/private partnership describing him as someone who is selfless and has a compassionate heart for the less privilege by leveraging on the platform he already provided to support his laudable initiatives.
He encouraged the children not to give up on themselves as they all have the potential to succeed and make it in life adding that the government was ready to continue to provide all the needed support that will enable them to fulfil destiny.
In her welcome address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs Adetoun Agboola stated that the Centre was established to provide support for children who are out of school. Adding that the Centre is structured to also provide speech, occupational, physiotherapy, and educational therapy to serve as havens where children can access essential support, engage in therapeutic activities, and develop the skills they need to thrive.
Agboola, who disclosed that the Centre is equipped with 21st century therapeutic and learning materials adding that the Centre will be fully accessible to individuals, as she used the opportunity to call on residents of the state to make use of the facilities.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; members of the state Executive Council, and officials of Premium Trust Bank among others.