Treasured Ugwuzor
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Anthony Idigbe, has urged the federal government in any respect ranges to commit extra sources to caring for youngsters with particular wants.
Idigbe, the Senior Companion at Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, made the decision through the second version of the Punuka Basis Stroll for Tremendous Particular Youngsters, an initiative of the regulation agency’s not-for-profit arm, Punuka Basis.
The muse, which runs a childcare centre in Lagos, was established to pursue the target of serving to the needy.
It focuses on individuals with developmental wants resembling autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Consideration Poor Hyperactivity Dysfunction (ADHD) and associated situations.
Idigbe mentioned: “There’s lots the federal government can do by way of coverage. I feel extra sources ought to be dedicated to caring for youngsters with particular wants.
“Our Childcare Centre could possibly be a centre of excellence the place scientific analysis could be carried out.
“An organisation in Canada that we’re related to tries to establish the extent of intelligence of those youngsters.
“They discovered that some youngsters could also be challenged, however can talk with the eyes. So a pc was designed to allow them to jot down by eye indicators.
“There are many issues we are able to do in Nigeria as properly, so we hope to accomplice with the federal government on a few of these analysis actions.
“We imagine in early intervention and figuring out youngsters with wants within the common faculties. It means bettering the talents of the academics.
“A part of our work is empowering academics on how they will establish youngsters with particular wants and the way they will intervene very early.
“A variety of youngsters not doing properly typically faculties could possibly be as a result of they’ve eye issues. A take a look at can reveal that glasses may merely remedy the issue.
“So, there’s a lot we are able to do with the federal government by way of coverage and coaching, along with the companies we provide at our particular centre.”
One of many basis’s goals, famous the SAN, is to impression society typically throughout the whole nation.
“We’ll accomplice with totally different states for impression. We wish to spend money on the human infrastructure in Nigeria.
“The stroll is to create consciousness and draw consideration to the challenges confronted by youngsters with particular wants, and the necessity for our society – the federal government and foundations resembling ours – to proceed to supply for his or her wants and do extra.
“It’s additionally a chance to attract consideration to the work that we at Punuka Basis are doing, such because the Childcare Centre and the Youth Centre that we established,” Idigbe added.
Govt Secretary and Trustee of Punuka Basis, Mrs Elizbeth Idigbe, mentioned the childcare centre is provided with trendy services, sensory-motor instruments and different studying aids, in addition to the right combination of therapists (occupational, behavioural, language/speech), assessors and resident nurses to make sure the actualisation of the developmental targets of the tremendous particular youngsters.
“The muse is concentrated on serving to youngsters who’ve developmental wants. After all, we additionally provide help to the underprivileged in our society.
“The centre affords full remedy – the youngsters must maximise their potential. They will solely do this with the assistance of specialists, and that’s the place the Punuka Basis is available in. These youngsters shouldn’t be left behind.
“If we obtain extra help, we are able to absorb extra youngsters and make use of extra specialists, as a result of feeding them and paying the therapists aren’t low-cost in any respect,” Mrs Idigbe mentioned.
On how individuals can help, she added: “Other than donations, organisations or people can take up duty for a kid on a month-to-month, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly foundation.”
A accomplice at Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, Mr Nnamdi Oragwu, urged well-meaning Nigerians and company organisations to help the work of the muse.
“It’s a laudable initiative which requires the help of well-meaning Nigerians.
“We have now numerous platforms for donations and help, so any contribution is welcome,” he mentioned.
On the fun-filled stroll have been many youngsters with particular wants, members of the regulation agency, workers members of the muse and childcare centre, sponsors and plenty of dignitaries from all walks of life.
Wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with “Stroll for Particular Youngsters,” they danced as they walked from Lekki Part 1 by Admiralty Technique to Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors workplace at Oyibo Adjarho Avenue in Lekki Part 1.
