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Ife students visit STMA, advocate inclusion
Undergraduate students of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, with special needs visited the Saint Timothy Model Academy (STMA), Modakeke, Osun State today.
The students, who operate under the aegis of Great Ife Physically Challenged Students Association (GIPChaSA), were in the Nursery and Primary School arm of STMA to create awareness about persons with disability (PWDs) among pupils and teachers.
Led by their Coordinators, Professors J. O. Ayodele and L. O. Ikútèyíjò, the Ife students arrived as early as 10.30am to a rousing welcome by pupils and staff. The visit witnessed enlightenment about PWDs, causes of disabilities, discrimination against PWDs, and expectations of PWDs. The Ife students shared their stories of how they became physically challenged, and how they surmounted the setbacks to their educational aspirations created by their condition. They charged the pupils to show understanding with PWDs and never to mock them. Miss Irene Anosike who is an Albino, freely shared with the pupils and staff information about Albinism and wrong notions were also corrected.
Speaking during the Advocacy Visit, the Headteacher of STMA, Mrs. Bukola Adesewa Olanrewaju, disclosed that her school has been promoting inclusivity. She added that STMA has been very supportive of Miss Wúrà Olagunju who lost her left arm to accident and another pupil who is an Albino. “We do create conducive learning environment devoid of discrimination in our school,” she intimated. The GIPChaSA President, Mr. Femi Mutiu, thanks the management of STMA for associating with the Disability Community and supporting persons with disabilities.
Having keenly watched and listened to the Ife students, who have disclosed they cannot see the pupils, numerous questions agitating the young mind were asked. “How do you eat,” Ajifoluse Hephzibah asked. Another pupil, Olawale Surprise, wondered how they could write or read without sight. Still another pupil, Omilani Rachel, asked: “How do you walk around and cross roads if you cannot see?” To convince the pupils, the Ife students brought out their Marburg, requested for sheet of paper, punched in some dotted lines and gave to a fellow blind who read out after running her fingers on the dots. They also brought out their Walking Cane or Mobility Guide and demonstrated to the curious pupils how it is used.
The high point of Advocacy Visit was when Miss Wúrà Olagunju was sighted speaking warmly with Miss Busayo Dosunmu, a second year visually impaired student of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife.
Mrs. Olagunju, Wúrà’s Mom, was present during the Advocacy Visit to give moral and psychological support to her daughter.