As part of the activities preceding the 2025 International Women’s Day in Ekiti State, the Ekiti State Women In Management (EKWIM), a prominent organization committed to empowering women in public service, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, held its annual outreach at the Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere Ekiti with a call for more initiatives towards banning all kinds of disparity in the society.
The event, which was aimed at facilitating inclusion and advocacy, centered around the theme “Accelerate Action: Inclusion of Adolescents with Disabilities for a Sustainable Future.”
The EKWIM Coordinator, Dr. Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo, who delivered a heartening address in a letter to the students, emphasized the importance of self-determination, self-esteem, and confidence, asserting that these qualities are crucial in achieving greatness, irrespective of one’s physical challenges.
EKWIM’s letter to the students was a powerful reminder of the importance of self-belief and the need to “accelerate action” towards gender equality and inclusion. It urged young people with disabilities to embrace their full potential and never allow any societal biases or personal doubts to hinder their dreams.
According to her, the theme for the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration served as a timely reminder of the need to provide equal opportunities for individuals with special needs. Dr. Kayode-Ojo explained that empowering those with disabilities should be seen as an essential aspect of societal progress, while encouraging the students to believe in themselves and pursue their goals with undeterred perseverance.
Another notable EKWIM member, Mrs Bosede Jegede, Executive Secretary in Education Sector of the State, commended the State Government under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the wife of the Governor Dr Olayemi Oyebanji for creating a working environment through provision of quality education and the priority to the welfare of PWDs in the State. She joined the session coordinator, Mrs Yewande Adesua (AGILE project manager to applaud the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, for her professionalism and a rare demonstration of service to humanity.
Dr. Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo noted that this year’s event was part of a broader outreach initiative that had already been conducted in the north and central senatorial districts of Ekiti state, stressing that the outreach in the south senatorial district was crucial in their ongoing commitment to disability inclusion across the state.
“We believe that every individual, regardless of their abilities, has a valuable role to play in building a sustainable future,” Dr. Kayode-Ojo remarked. “Our mission is to inspire these students to embrace their potential, break barriers, and become active contributors to society. On behalf of Ekiti State Women in Management, I celebrate you. You are special, and your abilities should not be limited by any cultural bias or personal circumstance. Remember, the only disability in life is a bad attitude.”
She encouraged the students to take swift and decisive action to overcome the systemic barriers and biases faced by women and people with disabilities.
The event also featured a series of impactful talks designed to inspire and educate the students with Mrs. Adesola Adetayo leading the first discussion which focused on the importance of cultivating positive relationships and setting appropriate boundaries, particularly when interacting with the opposite gender.
The second segment which centered on the topic of “Personal Hygiene,” was facilitated by Mrs. Bosede Alawooye who explained the various signs and stages of puberty. She explained the role that personal grooming plays for both boys and girls during adolescence. Her session aimed to guide the students on how to maintain proper hygiene, which is vital for their overall well-being and confidence.
In the third section, Mrs. Stella Falana addressed the topic of “Mental Health.” She shared various strategies for protecting mental health and spoke on the importance of maintaining emotional resilience to help the students become the best versions of themselves.
Another unique was a charge through songs rendition led by Mrs Toyin Familoni, assuring the students that they can stand and make it in life as they commit their way to God.
The principal of the Government Special School for the Blind, who had earlier in her welcome address, expressed gratitude to EKWIM members for their dedication to promoting exclusivity, stressed the significant positive impact of the outreach on the students and their future prospects.
Members of EKWIM later presented gift items to the students to ease some of their immediate challenges. The students, in turn, expressed their thanks, saying that they were eager to put the lessons learned into practice.