Business
Lagos To Establish Early Intervention Centre For Children With Special Needs
..As Ambode Urges Nigerians Not To Look Down On Persons With Disability
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday said plans are underway to establish an Early Intervention Centre in 2018 to provide therapy and educational support services for infants and young children with special needs.
The centre, according to the Governor, will enable the State Government equip such children with necessary skills and help develop their potential, thereby overcoming identified developmental delays as far as possible.
Speaking at a programme put together by the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, the Governor also assured that more people with disability would be employed into the State civil service in 2018.
“Our administration is making plans to establish an Early Intervention Centre for the provision of therapy and educational support services for infants and young children with special needs. This will enable us equip these children with necessary skills and help develop their potential, thereby overcoming identified developmental delays as far as possible,” he said.
While urging Nigerians to always embrace people in such situation and look out for their welfare, Governor Ambode said it was important for the general public to refrain from looking down on them but rather look out for their good qualities.
According to him, “I urge the general public to always embrace People Living With Disabilities and always look out for the good qualities God has deposited in them.”
The Governor, who recalled his promise to deliver an all-inclusive government in which no one would be left behind, said the event was another opportunity to reaffirm the policy stance of his administration, just as he assured that the welfare and well-being of PLWDs would always be a priority.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration – “Transformation Towards Sustainable And Resilient Society For All” was apt and in tandem with his vision which is to enable people with disability become active contributors in the society.
He said: “As a government, it is very critical to us to ensure the effective integration of people living with disabilities, especially in today’s changing world.
“For us in Lagos State, we see ability in disability always. We believe strongly that the socio-economic integration of persons with disabilities is not only a human right but also a prerequisite for sustainable development. Our experience has shown that when people with disabilities are adequately empowered to participate in and lead the process of development, their entire families, communities and even the larger society will benefit.
“As a result, we are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to ensure a more comfortable socio-economic status for these members of our community by providing them with various opportunities.”
While reeling out some of the interventions of his administration, the Governor said a total of 250 PLWDs were recently employed into the State’s Civil Service, Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, while more of such people would be employed next year.
Similarly, 500 persons have also benefitted from the State Government’s special empowerment programme drawn from the N500million Special People’s Fund established by the Ambode administration, while various assistive technologies, mobility aids and financial grants were given to 2,000 persons living with disabilities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) involved in taking care of such categories of people.
“As a government, we will continue to embark on initiatives to improve the quality of lives of our people. We will always work to develop the productive capacity of persons with disabilities and give them opportunities to play a role in socio-economic growth of our State,” he said.
Restating the fact that there is ability in every disability, the Governor charged PLWDs not to allow any circumstance limit their progress and life aspirations, adding that they must strive to achieve the best in everything and command respect from people in the society.
In his lecture at the event, President of Benola Cerebral Palsy Foundation, AVM Femi Gbadebo commended Governor Ambode for his numerous initiatives geared toward upholding the rights and welfare of PLWDs such as N500million Disability Fund and various empowerment programmes.
Also, Chairperson of Lagos State Chapter of Joint National Association of Persons With Disability, Deaconess Beyioku Adedoyin and Dr Adebayo Adebukola of Human and Organizational Resources Development Centre commended the State Government for prioritizing the welfare of PLWDs, saying that the State had become a reference point for positively handling disability affairs and development.
At the event, awards were given to various caregivers and NGOs involved in disability affairs, while there were also performances by groups of disabled people including Divine Melody Makers Band, Down Syndrome Society and Wesley School for the Deaf and Hearing Impairment.
NAPS COMMENDS OPAY DIGITAL SERVICES FOR ITS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) acknowledges and commends Opay Digital Services for its significant commitment to the educational advancement of Nigerian students through the Opay Scholarship Program.
The leadership of NAPS, under the stewardship of Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, has been actively engaged in discussions with Opay Digital Services to facilitate meaningful collaborations that benefit polytechnic students across Nigeria. These deliberations have now yielded a remarkable milestone as Opay Digital Services has entered into a strategic partnership with polytechnics across the nation. The scholarship initiative, which officially kicks off today at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout aimed at empowering polytechnic students for the next ten years.
This scholarship program is designed to alleviate financial burdens that hinder students from pursuing higher education, aligning with NAPS’ commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and student empowerment. The initiative will provide financial support to deserving students, ensuring that economic constraints do not hinder their academic and professional growth.
Key Benefits of the Opay Scholarship Program:
Access to quality education and financial assistance for students with demonstrated need.
Promotion of inclusivity by ensuring equal opportunities for all eligible students.
Enhancement of employability and future career success for scholarship recipients.
Encouragement of academic excellence and holistic student development.
Reduction of financial burdens associated with tuition fees and educational expenses.
Support for students in their career aspirations through funding for internships, research opportunities, and professional development activities.
Eligibility Criteria:
Must be an undergraduate student enrolled in a tertiary institution.
Open to students from all departments and academic levels.
Must have an active Opay account.
Scholarship Structure:
Each beneficiary will receive ₦300,000 per academic session.
20 students from each tertiary institution will be selected.
The scholarship will be extended to institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
During a stakeholder meeting at Kwara State Polytechnic, NAPS President, Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, commended Opay Digital Services for its leadership in the fintech sector and its dedication to student welfare. He also urged the Federal Government to support Opay’s initiative, as it aligns with the government’s Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) policy. Additionally, he called on other fintech companies to emulate Opay’s commitment to education.
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic also lauded the initiative and encouraged Opay to consider further investments in student development, including projects such as Opay Farm, Opay ICT Center, Opay Library, and Opay Sports Festival, among others.
Mr. Itoro, the Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Opay Digital Services, expressed his appreciation for the positive reception and collaboration from NAPS and polytechnic institutions nationwide, affirming Opay’s commitment to supporting Nigerian students.
NAPS remains dedicated to fostering impactful initiatives that elevate the educational and professional prospects of polytechnic students nationwide. We urge all students to remain engaged and supportive while rejecting misinformation or deceptive promises from external influences.
Our commitment remains unwavering—until all polytechnic students in Nigeria stand out in all aspects, Aluta Continua!
Co-Signed:
Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide
National President, NAPS
Comrade Jimoh Ibrahim
Public Relations Officer, NAPS
LASUSTECH Mass COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT EARNS FULL ARCON ACCREDITATION
Lagos, Nigeria – The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has granted the Department of Mass Communication at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) a five-year full accreditation to run advertising-related courses. This milestone achievement is a testament to the department’s commitment to excellence and its positioning for global competitiveness.
The accreditation exercise, conducted in January 2025, underscores the department’s adherence to industry standards and best practices. With this accreditation, students of the department will no longer need to write the ARCON professional examination before applying for membership in the noble council.
According to Dr. Steven Anu’ Adesemoye, Head of Department, Mass Communication, “This accreditation is a significant milestone for us, and we’re thrilled to have met ARCON’s rigorous standards. Our students will greatly benefit from this, as they’ll have a competitive edge in the industry.”
The department’s accreditation status places it at a greater advantage in marketing communication training, providing students with a comprehensive education that prepares them for the ever-dynamic media and communication workspace.
“As we continue to reculture and position ourselves for global competitiveness, this accreditation serves as a validation of our efforts,” said Adesemoye.
“We’re committed to providing our students with a world-class education that equips them for success”
The department is open to mutual collaborations, seeking to leverage partnerships with industry stakeholders to enhance its curriculum and provide students with practical, real-world experience.
“We’re excited to collaborate with industry partners to further enrich our curriculum and provide our students with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the industry,” added Dr. Adesemoye.
With this accreditation, LASUSTECH’s Mass Communication Department solidifies its position as a leading institution for media and communication education in Nigeria, offering students a globally recognised qualification that opens doors to exciting career opportunities.
The Dean, College of Applied Social Sciences (CASS), Professor Olamuyiwa Olamade felicitate the department for the academic feat, “The College extends heartfelt congratulations to the Department of Mass Communication and expresses its gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for meeting our accreditation requirements, leading to this significant achievement.”
Public Relations and Advertising, Unit,
Department, Mass Communication
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