A passionate call has been made to parents and carers to end the culture of hiding children with special needs, as the practice is not only harmful but rooted in ignorance.
The wife of the Delta State Governor and founder of You Matter Charitable Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, made the call at the start of a free medical drive for children with special needs and their caregivers in Ughelli, Delta State, organized by her office in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency on Thursday.
According to the state’s first lady, no child should be isolated or deprived of visibility, care and affection due to their vulnerability, advising mothers to show courage by coming forward for their children for support instead of hiding them.
“It’s not their fault. Every child deserves love, dignity and the opportunity to thrive.”
He expressed deep concern about the widespread stigma surrounding autism and other developmental conditions, noting that many children stay away from school and health care for fear of being judged.
“Autistic people are ordinary people living among us. Autism is not a spiritual problem or a disease seeking a cure. It is a condition that can be managed with understanding, compassion and appropriate professional support,” he explained.
The First Lady stated that state-level medical outreach is designed not only to provide care but also to raise awareness, confront misinformation and encourage parents to seek early help.
He reiterated his Foundation’s commitment to advocating for children with special needs and called on families, community groups and institutions to work together to build a more inclusive Delta State.
Delivering health talks on the programme, Dr Ifeoma Udeh, Consultant Pediatrician at Asaba Specialist Hospital, warned that around 50% of Nigerian children are micronutrient deficient, citing economic pressure, poor diet choices and cultural beliefs as major contributors. He highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and early nutrition.
Similarly, Dr Angela Bolum-Okolie, consultant pediatric cardiologist, echoed the first lady’s message and urged parents to prioritize education, healthcare and emotional support for children living with disabilities, noting that early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes.
The outreach included health checkups, nutritional counseling, disability support services, and distribution of mobility and learning tools designed to improve independence, access to care, and overall well-being of beneficiaries.
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