Concerned Citizen Renovates Toilet In School For Special Needs, Seeks Osun Government Intervention

A concerned citizen of Osun State, Dr Oni Gbolabo John has stressed the need for stakeholders and government at all levels to participate in the running and upgrade of facilities in the School for Children with Special Needs, Ilesa.

Dr Oni who stated this while speaking with newsmen on Friday enjoined stakeholders not to politicize the school’s affairs. He noted that while some of the facilities in the school are in good condition, others need urgent renovation and regular monetary intervention to bring them up to standard.

Dr Oni noted that the school is populated by 131 students, 45 of them living within the school premises along with 21 staff, both teaching and non-teaching.

The philanthropist maintained that although the accommodation is neat, he nonetheless supported the school by funding the renovation of its toilets to the tune of N650,000.

Dr Oni while giving an account of what he saw when he visited the school bemoaned the situation of the blind and lame students walking to the bush to defaecate, where they could easily be harmed by dangerous reptiles.

The school, according to Dr Oni, was built to serve the six Ijesha LGs which accounts for the heterogeneity of the student population. Students come from as far as Ekiti, Kwara and Ondo States.

He said: “Psychologically, many parents see the school as a place of refuge, where they can dump their disabled children and be free of the social stigma emanating from producing such kids.

“I gave this background to establish how our Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly Members and Party Chairmen can come in and help. Ideally, the monies given to these politicians for special projects in their respective constituencies are supposed to be used for projects that will touch lives positively and not to finance state statutory responsibilities.

“Taking up special projects like this will be categorized as service to humanity.

Dr Oni who said apart from the renovation of the toilet which he personally did, the school was still urgently in need of further interventions.

Some of the items include, raw food, Office Printer, Big Cooking Pots, Cooler to store food, Washing Machine for Hostel Students, First Aid Drugs, Sport Materials (Ball) Clippers , Soaps & Sponge, Toothpaste ,Writing Materials, Freezer & Stabilizers, Extension Boxes, Books and many others.

Dr Oni appreciated all the donors for their contribution which he said had helped to executing the project just as he prayed God to continue to enrich their pocket.

The concerned Nigerian called on stakeholders in Ijesaland to come to the rescue of the children with special needs to make life conducive for them.

He also advised parents not to abandon their children in the school just as he advocated for more funding to ameliorate the suffering of the children.