Alao-Akala’s Wife Rallies Support for Oyo Visually Impaired Pupils

The widow of former Oyo State Governor, Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, has called for increased support for visually impaired pupils during a humanitarian outreach to special schools in Oyo State.

Mrs. Alao-Akala made the appeal during a visit to the Nigeria Training Centre for the Blind and the Oyo State Special Basic School in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area.

Speaking at the event, she urged Nigerians, corporate bodies and government institutions to prioritise the welfare of persons living with disabilities, stressing that physical impairment does not equate to inability.

She encouraged the pupils to remain confident and focused on their education, assuring them that society has a responsibility to create inclusive opportunities for all. As part of the outreach, Mrs. Alao-Akala donated food items and essential supplies, including bags of rice, beans and maize, palm oil, spaghetti, sanitary pads, toiletries, typing sheets and other learning materials.

She also pledged to provide school uniforms for the pupils after proper measurements are taken. The outreach, according to her, forms part of her routine humanitarian interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable groups across the state.

School authorities expressed appreciation for the gesture while highlighting ongoing challenges. The Headmistress of the Oyo State Special Basic School, Mrs. Oyedokun Janet Olabimpe, appealed for increased government funding to address the unique needs of visually impaired learners, particularly those in boarding facilities.

A special educator at the centre, Mr. Ogunleke Simeon, noted that the high cost of specialised materials such as Braille machines, guide canes and assistive learning tools continues to strain available resources.

He also pointed to an uncompleted three-classroom block project that has remained abandoned for several years.