By Ademola Orunbon
The Ogun State Government, Southwest Nigeria, has distributed 30 new wheelchairs and a vehicle, donated by Initiative for Community Advancement Relief and Empowerment (ICARE), Foundation, to School with Special Needs Children, Sagamu.
Former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu during the symbolic presentation of the wheelchairs in Abeokuta, said many special needs learners were out of school due to lack of adequate mobility gadgets, noting that over 100 wheelchairs have been distributed since the inception of Prince Dapo Abiodun as Governor of the State.
Prof. Arigbabu while commending ICARE for the donation of the vehicle said the gesture would help in tackling the mobility challenges of the learners living with limb issues, saying helping people that are incapacitated was more appreciative to God.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye stated that government was ready to associate and partner with anyone ready to support its policy of providing conducive and affordable quality education for the citizens, applauding the donor for the goodwill.
Earlier, the Director of Education, Special Needs Department, Mr. Taiwo Ilori revealed that the distribution was part of the activities of the Ministry to commemorate the International Day of Wheelchair which was supposed to have come up earlier, as every March 1 had been set aside to mark the day.
Appreciating the government on behalf of other beneficiaries’ parents, Mr. Taiwo Akinbiyi from Ewekoro Local Government Area and Mrs. Risikat Abiola said the wheelchairs donations would make life more comfortable for their children, adding that they now have the opportunity to concentrate on their education.