Joyce Onwuka
As a way of finding out the true state of welfare of students with disabilities in his domain, member representing Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Agboworin, on Friday, paid an unscheduled visit to Omoyeni Special Basic Home for the Blind, located at Adesola area, Orita-Aperin, Ward 7 of Ibadan South East local government, Ibadan.
The school, which caters for the blind, deaf and people living with other forms of physical challenges, received the Rep Member with a rapturous welcome.
Agboworin, who is also the Chairman of House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, donated food items, cash for the special students, adding that he would continue to reach out to the school in terms of food donation every three months.
After taking a tour of the facilities in the school, He promised to attend to some major needs of the students including storex tank, mattresses, solar light and others as demanded by the management, which, according to him, “would be delivered in the next two months.”
In what appeared to be a deliberate move to give them a sense of belonging, the lawmaker took turns to shake hands and pose for photographs with the children and the teachers whom he commended for their resilience and commitment towards their welfare.
Similarly, Agboworin, who equally extended support of cash donation to the teachers, paid 2024 NECO examination fees for some students, and urged them to put in more effort towards passing their examinations.
He said: “I want you to know that I am very happy to be here with you today. I have come here today to give a token of support to you and I want to assure you that it won’t stop today but will be continuous.
“I am aware that you have a lot of needs to put this school in good shape. Please, feel free to come forward to me to table your demands and I will assist. You have mentioned a few things you need and I have noted them. For the ones that have to do with the involvement of respective authorities in government, I will look into that and get back to you as soon as possible.
“I will give the food items on a three month basis. I will give another water tank. And concerning the school bus, I would not be able to give that now because I am just hearing about it.
“Let me also assure you that, in the next two months, we will give mattresses to the students. I will also reach out to some individuals in the government who can be of help to support the school with their resources.”
Appreciating the gesture of the lawmaker, the headmistress of the school, who is also an elderly sister to the lawmaker, Mrs Adetunji Modinat, appreciated him for considering the welfare of the students and assured that the items donated to the school will be used judiciously.
“We are deeply excited and overwhelmed that you have deemed it fit to come and visit us here today. We want to say thank you for the items you have given to us at the moment and for the ones you promised to give to us soon. Thank you so much.”
Also commending the lawmaker, one of the teachers, Mrs Silas Kehinde Adenike, noted that the coming of the lawmaker was auspicious and meant a lot to the school and students.
She thanked the lawmaker for his continuous support and efforts to make life meaningful for the people including the less privileged and people living with disabilities, praying that God will continue to strengthen him to do more.
“We are happy to see you here because we have been hearing about you and he things you have been doing for the people. We know you are the Headmistress’ younger brother. Seeing you here at this time means a lot to us, Sir.
“We will be happy if some of the demands we have tabled are granted. One of them is the road leading to this vicinity. It is so bad that some of these wards sometimes fall when they are passing on the road.
“Also, they don’t have mattresses and their parents cannot afford to get them. This is why we are calling on you to, out of your magnanimity, give to the school what is within your reach.
“We also need a bus even if it is fairly used. We face a lot of hiccups due to lack of means of transportation. So, we need it for easy movement to the hospital or other necessary places. This is the only school of blind in Ibadan and we really need your support. It is only education that is the best thing we can give to these children,” She stated.