UI is a Disability Friendly Institution

"UI is a disability friendly institution," says VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, has reiterated the commitment of the University to promoting the welfare of students and staff with disabilities saying that the University is disability friendly.

The statement 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 is an indication of the disability friendliness of the University.

He 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 Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa was the Chairman at the lecture.

In a message of 'hope' from the Presidency, Hon Isa called for the harnessing of the collective strength of our 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, fnim, CON, was the Special Guest of Honour at the Lecture.

He was represented by his Special Adviser (Technical), Professor Femi Babatunde, who called on all and sundry to ensure that persons with disabilities are given due support.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Sam Amadi. There was also a technical session where topics on capacity building and community engagement and advocacy were discussed.

The major objective of the public lecture was to bring to the fore, the exigencies 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.