By Ojoma Akor
The Ojay Ajaifia Foundation for Children with Disabilities (OFCD) has in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), launched a data mapping programme for children with disabilities in the country.
Founder of the foundation Ojay Ajaifia stated this Saturday in Abuja during the official launch of the foundation.
She said one of the challenges the foundation observed during the implementations of its projects is the lack of data for children with disabilities, adding that they then saw the need to do a data mapping for children with disabilities.
“Data mapping systematically collects and organizes information about children with disabilities. We are a foundation focused on children with disabilities. So the data we are collecting, which we aim to disaggregate, would be for children with disabilities where they are. We intend to find them wherever they are, the type of disabilities they have; services they can access, education, health, mobility, the one they can access, the ones they don’t have access, and then how they can determine barriers they face. And as I said earlier, Nigeria lacks a comprehensive database, making many children invisible in planning and budget.”
She said the foundation has also launched diverse empowerment opportunities geared towards ensuring inclusion and addressing challenges bedeviling children with disabilities.
She highlighted that the foundation was founded on a simple yet powerful belief, which is, every child, regardless of disability, deserves dignity, opportunity and hope.
Ajaifia further said she was inspired to found the foundation because she loves children, “and I feel very confident with them. Children are run to me at every given time, but at some point, I noticed that some set of children would not come to you if you do not go to them, and those are the children with disabilities. I always felt compassion for them and wanted to give them better opportunities and make them above all feel loved.
“For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to children, their laughter, energy and innocence have always brightened every stage I’ve been in, but as I grew older, I came to see a painful trick. Not all children are given the same chance to thrive too often.
“Children with disabilities are hidden, unheard and unsupported. They face stigma, obstacles and neglect, when all they want is to be loved, included and recognized. That realization ignited a calling within me, leading to this very important moment. “
She said that every child with a disability has potentials, adding “that is what we want to harness. We want these potentials to be enabled for these children so that they can be the best they can be.”
The philanthropist said that since the foundation came into existence on April 25 this year, it has organized medical outreaches with partners, launched possibility through art with empowering children through creativity, provided direct support to schools for children with special needs, and delivered first response training for families and caregivers.
She said one of the children the foundation has adopted has cerebral palsy and visual impairment, adding that they were trying to raise money for a Braille machine to assist him with reading as he is eager to learn.
“Each of these efforts marks only the start of a larger mission, a mission to ensure no child is left behind,” she added.
She also called on government to implement polices for children with disabilities, adding, “We have schools that do not have access. We have hospitals that do not have access. People build houses and you can’t access it as long as you’re on a wheelchair. So I appeal to the government to implement these policies, because the policies are in existence. I want these policies to be enforced and for awareness to be created about the policies. “
Lois Auta, founder of Cedar Seed Foundation and president of the Network of Women with Disabilities called for a budget line for children with disabilities under the Federal Ministry of Education.
She said, “because we need facilities that are inclusive and accessible in all our educational facilities, so that when it comes to enrollment or admissions, children with disabilities should not be left out. They should be included in the educational processes from the planning stage to the implementation stage. This will give rights to children to be educated and to be included in all that the government is doing concerning education”.
While saying that the Ojay Ajaifia foundation was timely, she said it is significant in the lives of children with disabilities, because there’s going to be awareness on their rights.
“They have the right to go to school. They have the right to be educated. They have the right of free association”.
She added that children with disabilities should not be locked up in homes, but be allowed to be part of the educational system.
Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, said data mapping could help identify these barriers and develop targeted innovations.
Represented by the deputy director of civil registration and statistics, Yusuf Saka, that children with disabilities often encountered serious barriers to education, healthcare, and inclusion.
He said , “Data mapping can help identify these barriers and develop targeted innovations.
“Let me emphasize that the mandate of NPC includes gathering data related to births, deaths, disabilities, and demographic characteristics.
“We possess the tools to capture data on children with disabilities. With accurate data, we can identify priority areas, allocate resources, build inclusive programs and policies, and measure progress and long-term impact.
“Let us join efforts to harness the power of data in building a more inclusive and equitable society for children with disabilities in Nigeria.”
A person living with disability, Onyinyechi Eberendu while detailing her experience surviving polio , and getting educated , enjoined children with disabilities to be resilient , and positive saying there are opportunities for them.
