DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN HOLDS WORLD DISABILITY DAY

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HOSTS 2021 WORLD DISABILITY DAY

By: Bello Aishat

On Friday 3rd December 2021, the department of Special Education, University of Ibadan hosted the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the Faculty of Education large lecture theatre, University of Ibadan.

Dr Esther Oyefeso, who anchored the program started with the opening prayer and then proceeded to the recitation of the National Anthem as well as the University Anthem. 

In attendance, was the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. K.O. Adebowale, the chief host of the occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. O.A. Fakolade, the host of the occasion, the Acting Head of Department, Special Education, Dr Ayodele Osisanya, the co-host, Prof. Kolawole Kazeem Labayo of the department of Adult Education, the chairman of the occasion and Princess Adetutu Akhigbe Adeyemi, the mother of the day. The guest speakers for the day as well as other invited guest were introduced to the audience.

Dr. Esther Oyefeso, announces the invited schools whilst appreciating the pupils present and their supportive parents. Audience was encouraged to go round and welcome the pupil which was a beautiful sight to see as each child was beaming happily while offering handshakes to the equally smiling audience.

     Audience welcoming the pupils

A short address was given by the acting Head of Department, Special Education who then handed over the microphone to the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Kolawole Kazeem Labayo. The chairman spoke at length about how honored he was to be present at the occasion. He went on to appreciate parents and teachers who have made sure that the children utilize their rights to education in spite of their special needs. 

The Mother of the day, Princess Adetutu Akhigbe Adeyemi took over to express her mind about the common misconception that people living with disabilities do not have potential. She said, “Every human needs help at one point or the other and that makes us all disabled”. She further revealed that as a mother of an autistic child, it is amazing to see some of the things her child could do serving as further proof that disability is indeed not inability.

Events took an interesting turn when two of the invited schools were called forth to give the audience a presentation. Cheshire School, Polytechnic Ibadan went first on stage. Each child communicated through sign language while their teacher interpreted. They stressed the importance of honesty and how their hearing impairment is not an excuse for bad behaviour. They entertained the audience afterwards with their dance moves and so did the Basic Special School from Agodi gate.

The first guest speaker, Dr Kunle Adebiyi who is the Head of Visual Impairment unit at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo was invited to speak on one of the themes of the programs which talks about leadership for people with disabilities. He said, “If given a chance that people with special needs would perform actively in politics citing example of a man with physical exceptionalities who won an election against the daughter of popular and iconic figure Kwame Nkrumah”. He furthered by an interactive session where he talked about the accessibilities challenges people with disabilities face in educational institutions, banks and hospitals. 

The former Dean of Education who implemented the use of ramps during his time stood up to share a few things related to accessibility challenges. He spoke of a hearing impaired finalist who died of a ruptured appendicitis because she could not communicate her symptoms. He also spoke of a lady that got impregnated by a security officer at a bank simply because he helps her out any time she comes to the bank. He suggested that a group of individuals be trained not just in sign language but to be able to act as interpreters in hospitals. He said, “Architectural design should include special need features since people with special needs are also part of the society”. Both men’s opinions met with a lot of applause from the audience as it challenges everyone to think of ways to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with special needs. 

The pupils in the department of Special Education, University of Ibadan Child’s Clinic were then called forward to give their presentation. They performed a choreographed dance to Tope Alabi’s song, “You are Worthy” and ended it singing about how their future is colorful and shining bright. Their performance was followed by pupils from Methodist Grammar School, Bodija who came to the stage with their equally hearing impaired teacher. He introduced each pupil stating the special skills and talents they had some of which include, shoe making, acting and excellent math solving skills.

After the performances, the second guest speaker, Dr Bosede Adebayo, a pediatrician and cardiologist who is also affiliated with the Down Syndrome Foundation spoke on the second part of the theme that says not all disabilities are visible. She gave instances of disabilities like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and learning disabilities which has no visible effect on the individual but is a real enough condition. She said, “Currently in Nigeria, only about 10% of children with special needs get the education they require, a good number of them are put into mainstream schools where teachers see them as disruptive, dullards or absentees”. Parents often think their shortcomings is as a result of their laziness and the society treats them as outcasts, calling them possessed and exposing them to so much negativity as such a tender age. She proposed that both parents and teachers should be attentive to children, seek help, create support groups and make quality education available ultimately training them to be future leaders who are not limited by their conditions. As she concluded her lecture, a pupil from each school was called to play a game of musical chairs where they danced around chairs and sat on them immediately the music stops. 

At the end of the game, refreshments were served while the chairman of the planning committee, Dr Olugbenga Isiah gave a vote of thanks. He thanked the Acting Head of Department, Special Education, the teachers, parents and other guests concluding his speech by saying “Every child present has a potential and we must not stop till it is utilized to the fullest”. 

Mrs Aderonke Olusi gave the closing prayer while the event ended with taking of photographs.