By – Aduwo Ayodele

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, on Wednesday, 8^th of May, 2024 restated the commitment of the University to promoting the welfare of students and staff with disabilities.

This remark was made on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor by the Acting Head of Department of Special Education, Dr Adebayo F. Komolafe at a Public Lecture on Rehabilitation and Inclusive Basic Education, jointly organised by the Department and the Congregation of the Servants of Charity (Opera Don Guanella).

Dr Komolafe said the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Servants of Charity in Africa was an indication of the disability friendliness of the University of Ibadan.

Dr. Komolafe disclosed that the proposal to establish a University Support Centre for students and staff with disability is receiving attention in order to further include the hitherto excluded.

The public lecture was convened as an opportunity to bring to fore the importance for continuous engagement in educational and strategic interventions for sustainable inclusion of special children and young adults in all government-led development initiatives in Africa.  

The Congregation of the Servants of Charity is an international Congregation of priests and brothers; a clerical Institute of Pontifical Right founded in Italy by St Louis Guanella in 1908 and has since spread to 27 nations of the world, providing charity on rehabilitation, education and care for children with special needs.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa who was the Chairman at the lecture called for the harnessing of the collective strength of Nigeria’s diversity to build a future where every child, regardless of background or circumstances, can realize his dreams and contribute to the flourishing of our societies. 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Special Adviser (Technical), Professor Femi Babatunde called on all and sundry to ensure that persons with disabilities are given due support. 

Featured at the event was a keynote address delivered by Dr. Sam Amadi and a technical session where topics on capacity building community engagement and advocacy were discussed.