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- celebrates 20 years of founder’s death
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The management of Child Care Trust, a school established by the late First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, over two decades ago has raised the alarm over the growing level of discrimination, dehumanisation and abandonment against children with disability in Nigeria.
They raised the alarm at an event in Abuja, to mark the 20 years anniversary of the death of the former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, which had family, friends, former First Ladies, and well wishes of the late First Lady in attendance.
The school said their research and observation revealed that many children with disability are kept in obscurity by their families and also avoid being associated with, not knowing that many of the children are highly talented in many ways.
Programme Coordinator, Child Care Trust School, Lucy Dickson, told journalists at the event held at the school premises located at Bwari, Abuja, that the school is undergoing series of reform that might culminate in an improved opportunities for the children with disability in the school.
She said the school management decided to organise the week-long event to celebrate the 20th year anniversary of the late First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, who founded the school about two decades ago.
“It started on Monday with Essay writing for some selected schools in the FCT. We also had sensitisation walk along major streets in Abuja to raise public awareness on the need for improved care and attention for children with disability. We had exhibition of crafts, and other memorable engagements which culminated in the event on Friday. All these had the main message of welfare and opportunities for children with disability.
“The late First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, concieved the school as a pet project and a platform of giving hope to these children with disability, but unfortunately, the school faced some challenges after her death. Truly, the school might have faced some challenges but we will ensure that the dream of the founder will not die. Hence this reinvigorated effort to strengthen the operations and opportunities for these children with special needs.”
She appealed to parents, guardians and communities to desist from discriminating against the children with disability. “The discrimination and dehumanisation is real. Most times, these children have hidden potentials that need an atmosphere of love and care to be discovered. Sadly, this is not done on time.
“This is why the school was established, and it has achieved that goal over the years. The children are brought to the facility late when it will be a bit difficult to fix them. Parents, guardians and community should change the practice because these children have a lot to offer if properly cared for. ”
Director of the School, Mrs. Harmony Ibeh, in her remarks, said the week-long event was aimed to create awareness, and also allow the society to get to know and feel the plight of children with disability.
“Many people in the society thought we don’t have children living with disability in our nation any more because there are many people who don’t know, they are not aware that there is ability in disability. And imagine, showing off this exhibition, shows that there is ability to live with children that look awkward, and children that can’t even walk.
“We have had several challenges, because there are parents who have children that are locked in. They are stigmatized and dehumanised. Some of these children have freedom here much more than they do in their homes, because other people stigmatize them. They make them feel maybe they have used the child for ritual.
“You know what it is like in Africa, we don’t seem to accept that there’s ability in disability. But the children corrected that in the drama they presented. If you watch the drama that was acted, it’s exactly what these children suffer. Schools will not accept them, society will not accept them, even the parents will not accept them.
“We have children that time will fail us to pinpoint whose parents, whose fathers had to desert them. Marriages have had to divorce because of they had children with disability. So, we want the society to know that it’s neither the fault of the mother who gave birth to the child. It could be maybe during delivery, and so many other things might have happened along the line. We want them to accept them, take them as a human being what created them.”
She solicited financial and logistic intervention from individuals, corporations, and international organizations to support the care and education of the children, thus restoring and renewing their hope and conducted in life.
Former Edo First Lady, Eki Igbinedion, in her remarks commended the management of the school for not allowing the dream of the late First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, to die.
She promised to contnue to mobilize support, financial and otherwise, for the school and the children thus providing quality education opportunities for the children with disability.
She encouraged members of the public to visit the school often to celebrate their birthdays, marriage anniversaries, and any other event that will give opportunity to the children to feel loved and celebrated.
Ambassador Jonathan Oluwole, the Coordinating Board Member of the school, in his remarks, appreciated the family of the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, for entrusting him with the responsibility of reviving the school, making it more accommodating for school.
He assured the school management and the child of better days ahead, thus urging them to be steadfast and dedicated to their duty of providing a better life and opportunities for the children.
