The Oyo traditional monarch, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has advocated increased funding for special education in order to give individuals with special needs the expert instruction and tailored tools they need to develop maximum independence and skills.
Oba Owoade noted that special education prevents waste of human potential, saying there is the urgent need to develop in the entire citizenry, a strong conscientiousness for education and a strong commitment to its vigorous promotion.
The Monarch stated this when the members of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, led by its Chairperson, Ambassador Nimotallahi Akanbi, paid him a courtesy visit at his Boroboro residence.
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He said education should be seen by the government as a basic human right and the foundation for a more just and equal society which requires adequate funding to meet the target goals and objectives for equalising learning for all pupils, including those with disabilities.
He stated: “It prepares students with disabilities for vocational and career success, transitioning them into self-reliant workforce members who pay taxes and reduce dependency, and fosters an inclusive society that values human rights, reduces poverty, and honours the dignity of all citizens.
“Special education drives national development by transforming every citizen regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive ability into a valuable human resource who can actively contribute to the economy and society.”
Oba Owoade pointed out that education is an important social service meant for everybody in the community whether the person is able bodied or suffers some disabilities.
He said it is a right for everybody, both young and old, to be educated because the purpose is for all to gain access to knowledge, skills and information that will prepare them to contribute to the development of their communities.
Alaafin expressed satisfaction at the performance of the Special College of Education management, saying they are doing well and friendly to the Palace; and urged them to re-dedicate themselves for the progress and development of the institution as well as the challenges ahead.
“The only thing I will charge you for is performance. The College has all what is required of a University status, such as structures, and human resources. What is now needed is the political backing and royal support,” he noted.
Oba Owoade assured citizens that he would not hesitate to do whatever the College Governing Council wanted him to do for the progress of the institution.
Earlier, in her address, Chairperson of the Governing Council, Ambassador Nihinlola Akanbi, lauded the intellectual sagacity, support, and co-operation of the Alaafin to human resources and development of the College, describing it as unprecedented.
Also, Provost of the College, Dr Ademola Salami, commended the un-relentless role of the Alaafin in the progress of the institution in particular and the country as a whole.
The Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State, was established on the 5th of October, 1977, as a Federal Advanced Teacher’s College (Special), and it is the only one of its kind in Nigeria and Africa.
The institution, according to a UNDP/UNESCO 1996 report, has the best qualified staff in Special Education not only in Nigeria but also in West, North, East and Central Africa.
The College has the largest conglomeration of handicapped students that could be found in any higher institution in Nigeria and the largest concentration of specialised facilities for teaching and training of teachers of special needs in Nigeria.
