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By Rasaq Oboirien
World and Paralympic champion in powerlifting, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, has expressed her heartfelt appreciation to Fame Foundation for its dedication to supporting and nurturing talent among individuals with disabilities.
In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Fame Foundation hosted the Inclusion Games at the National Stadium in Lagos, advocating for a more inclusive society for people with disabilities.
The event took place on December 3 and showcased the remarkable talents of 26 participants across various activities. These included the 100m finals for visually impaired athletes, events for those with cerebral palsy and hearing impairments, as well as discus throw contests for amputees and polio survivors, and shot put activities for both amputee and less-abled a
thletes.
After presenting medals to the athletes, Oluwafemiayo remarked, “I am grateful to Fame Foundation for their efforts in uncovering new talents among physically challenged individuals and empowering people living with disabilities. Today, we witnessed emerging talents who have the potential to bring pride to our nation and to Fame Foundation. I hope this encourages more individuals with disabilities to engage in sports.”
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Executive Director of Fame Foundation, expressed her satisfaction with the successful launch of the tournament and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and celebrating diverse abilities within the community.
“I am delighted by today’s event. The Inclusion Games have allowed us to honour various abilities through engaging activities. This is what true inclusion looks like in our society,” Atoyebi stated.
She connected this initiative to the foundation’s HerSTEM program, which focuses on providing digital literacy and basic computer skills training for women and girls with disabilities.
“This philosophy guides our HerSTEM Initiative. Through initiatives like the ongoing HerSTEM 2025 cohort and the HerSTEM Inclusive Tournament, we are creating environments where participants can learn, compete, and showcase their talents. We are challenging stereotypes and demonstrating that, with the right opportunities, individuals with disabilities can be not only included but also serve as leaders and contributors to social progress,” she added.
Atoyebi highlighted the importance of collaboration and systemic change, urging the government to fully enforce the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.
Peter Ojo, Head of Para Sports in Ekiti State and a former board member of the Para Athletics Federation of Nigeria, lauded Fame Foundation for its commitment to fostering inclusivity. He encouraged governmental bodies to adopt similar approaches.
