Okeoghene Akubuike
The Engraced Ones Prayer Support and Advocacy Initiative, and NGO, has sought partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to amplify awareness and advocacy for children living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Representatives of the organisation made the appeal during a courtesy visit to NAN headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
They highlighted their programmes to tackle challenges faced by children with special needs and their families.
The Assistant Executive Director, Chinelo Akintola, said the the organisation supported children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, dyslexia and other developmental conditions.
Akintola said that the emphasis was on inclusion, empowerment and advocacy.
She said that the organisation operated from Kurudu, Abuja, focusing largely on rural communities where stigma and limited resources often compelled parents to keep children with disabilities indoors .
According to her, the organisation runs a special needs school and a vocational centre for children and young persons with disabilities, providing scholarships, parental counselling and financial empowerment programmes.
She appealed to the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians for funding and land to establish a larger centre to expand services for children with special needs.
The Project Manager, Ayobami Adefioye, said that the organisation conducted advocacy and sensitisation campaigns in markets, churches and mosques to educate the public and discouraged discrimination.
Adefioye said that the organisation ran both inclusive and special schools, alongside vocational training in photography, catering, shoemaking, hat making and tailoring.
She said that the programmes demonstrated that children with disabilities possessed abilities beyond societal labels, helping to change negative perceptions about disability.
Adefioye also highlighted partnerships with organisations such as the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Christian Blind Mission and the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities.
The Admin and Public Relations Officer, Kohol Terkura, said that parents of children with special needs faced emotional, psychological and financial challenges, often worsened by stigma and misinformation.
Terkura stressed the need to reframe disability narratives, describing neurodiversity as a normal part of human existence, while noting that the organisation provided mentorship and empowerment for parents.
Responding, the Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali Muhammed Ali, assured the organisation of the agency’s support in amplifying its advocacy and activities.
Ali, represented by the Editor-in-Chief, Mr Mufutau Ojo, said that NAN, established in 1976, had nationwide and international presence, with partnerships that gave it global reach.
He said that NAN prioritised coverage of women, children, health and gender issues, urging the organisation to keep the agency informed of its programmes for media support.
NAN reports that the Engraced Ones has operated for more than 10 years, promoting inclusive education, skills development, livelihood support and social acceptance for children and young persons with disabilities.
Activities of the organisation include disability awareness walks, inclusive sports competitions, special needs clubs in schools, runway events and community and religious outreach programmes.
In attendance were Mr Wole Sogunle, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Ombudsman, and Hajia Hadiza Aliyu, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of Newsroom. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
