Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with the unveiling of a state-of-the-art therapy centre for children with disabilities.
Built-in partnership with Premium Trust Bank, the centre aims to provide essential therapeutic support and promote social inclusion for children with disabilities.
Governor Oyebanji emphasised his administration’s dedication to creating an enabling environment for PWDs to thrive.
He described the centre as a significant milestone in his drive to ensure that all children, regardless of their abilities, have access to opportunities to achieve their potential.
“This multi-sensory therapy centre is tailored to meet the diverse needs of children with disabilities. Our goal is to help these children develop into independent adults who can contribute meaningfully to society”, Oyebanji said.
The centre is equipped with advanced facilities, including therapy jungle gyms, calming tents, balance beams, TENS machines, bikes, calming swings, and educational materials. Accessibility features include ramped swing-up bars and restroom handrails.
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The governor also announced the recruitment of speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists for public special schools in the state.
To further support the initiative, Mr Oyebanji donated a bus to the centre to facilitate the transportation of children. He recounted the transformative impact of therapeutic interventions, sharing a story of a boy who, after therapy, was able to walk unaided for the first time.
“This facility will provide critical services to children who cannot attend school due to the severity of their conditions. We are committed to supporting them and ensuring they are not left to suffer through life,” Oyebanji added.
The Managing Director and CEO of Premium Trust Bank, Emmanuel Emefienim, expressed pride in partnering with the state government on the project.
He commended Governor Oyebanji for his selflessness and dedication to the less privileged, describing the initiative as a testament to compassion and community service.
“Every child has the potential to succeed. This project underscores our commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in society, and we will continue to collaborate with the government to achieve this goal.”
However, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Adetoun Agboola, highlighted the centre’s role in supporting children at risk of dropping out of school due to critical disabilities.
She noted that the facility offers speech, occupational, physiotherapy, and educational therapy, with cutting-edge materials designed to enhance learning and development.
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Agboola lauded the governor’s unparalleled contributions to the growth of the disability community in Nigeria and urged residents to make full use of the facility.
Parents at the event expressed deep gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for making the centre accessible and free for children. They pledged to utilize the facility to improve their children’s lives.
