Oyebanji commissions Ekiti’s first inclusive school, reiterates commitment to special needs children
By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
In its effort to ensure children with special needs have a chance to excel and compete favourably in their academic endeavours, the Commissioner for Finance, Honourable Akin Oyebode, has built and officially handed over an ultra-modern set of classrooms for the special children in Ikole Local Government.
The project, which is the first inclusive school in Ekiti State, consists of blocks of classrooms equipped with retrofitted adaptive facilities for inclusive education and is situated at the Irepodun Community Pilot School, Ikole-Ekiti.
The multi-million-naira project, facilitated by Honourable Akin Oyebode, is furnished with modern scientific educational equipment expected to make learning easier for children with special needs.
Honourable Akin Oyebode, while speaking to journalists, said the project became a necessary intervention to ensure all children, particularly “the special ones,” also have equal academic chances like their counterparts, and to bring education to all Ekiti children irrespective of their status.
“These classrooms have been specially designed to cater for the needs of children with special needs. The most important thing is that before now, children with various disabilities had to go to Ado to access these kinds of facilities, but now it is here in Ikole. Their parents don’t have to travel, and it is an inclusive facility built within an existing school.
“They go in there for special intervention and can go back to join their mates when they are done. It is the first in Ekiti State and I hope there will be many more of such in other local governments as well,” he stated.
Commissioning the classrooms, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, said the project built by Honourable Oyebode is a testament that the government of Ekiti has the interest of the masses at heart.
He specially appreciated Honourable Oyebode for the initiative as he encouraged parents of special needs children to take advantage of the facilities by enrolling them, declaring that such talented children should not be allowed to waste away.
“This is a laudable project, and the fact that it will take care of our special children makes it an all-encompassing project for all the children,” Rt. Hon. Aribasoye said.
He maintained that Governor Biodun Oyebanji is repositioning the education sector in the state and will continue to embark on projects that will bring development to the doorstep of all Ekiti people.
“The people of Ikole have always shown love to the government of Oyebanji, and this project has justified the robust trust the people have in the government,” he concluded.
The SA to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Adetoun Agboola, explained to dignitaries and visibly excited people of Ikole how the project was birthed by Honourable Oyebode and how it became a success despite the paucity of funds.
She also took guests round the classrooms, showcasing and explaining the functions of the facilities and their uses.
Speaking on behalf of the Elekole-in-Council, High Chief Olotin thanked Honourable Oyebode for bringing laudable development into Ikole Kingdom.
He also assured the government of Ikole people’s support in ensuring the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji becomes a reality.
Some of the parents who attended the programme expressed their gratitude to the Commissioner and the Government of Ekiti State for the project, which they said has given a lifeline to their special children.