Rising from its 36th National Conference in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, the Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) has endorsed Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for re-election in 2026 based on the effectiveness of his administration’s PWDs-friendly policies and huge investment in special education.
Speaking on behalf of the national body and Ekiti State chapter of the association at the closing session of the annual conference on Ado- Ekiti on Friday, the national president of NASET, Dr Catherine Atteng commended the governor for his policy of inclusion and proactiveness in lifting the status of children with special needs in the state to an enviable level worthy of emulation nationally.
Dr Atteng said she and the national executive members were excited at the state-of-the- art structures and gadgets in all the special schools in Ekiti, adding that this was made possible because of the passion the governor has for special education.
The NASET President confirmed that Governor Oyebanji is a Champion of Disability Inclusion nationally, in view of his demonstrated love and commitment to the welfare of Persons with Disabilities and was so honored as a fellow of the association, during the opening session of the week- long conference.
“We can attest that from yesterday, when we visited the facilities, that there has been a remarkable improvement from what we saw the last time we came. That is why we decided to honour our retirees who studied Special Education and retired from special schools.
“And they all attested to the fact that what the governor is doing is overwhelming. We can really see for ourselves that the Governor Oyebanji is a friendly governor as well as disability friendly.
”In some states where we have conferences like this, the government officials will not give us any opportunity because they will not send any representative, but here in Ekiti, because of the love the Governor has shown to children with disabilities, because of his passion for children with disabilities, he decided to include the excluded. So many people do not want to relate with children with disabilities, but the governor decided to stoop low and work with these people and so, we are overwhelmed.
“What do we have to say, you know as the national president, I am here as the mother of Special Education in Nigeria, all my Excos and the association in the 36 states, they are all here, for us, we have endorsed the Governor and that is why we decided to confer him with the Fellow of NASET because of his commitment and passion, we decided to do this for him. For me, if I have the opportunity to come during election, I will surely come and cast my vote for Governor Oyebanji and we have already supported him because he has carried my people along.” She stated.
All participants from the 36 states of the federation who were at the conference were visibly excited with the kind of development in the state and lend their voices to the various assertions of their president to commend Governor Oyebanji for the wonderful infrastructure he had put in place for the benefit of the disability family in the state.
Dr Margaret Uzor from Cross River state and Mr Akin Ogunola representing Rivers state spoke glowingly about their experience in Ekiti state and recommended that Governor Oyebanji should be allowed to continue in government to enable people living with disabilities continue to enjoy his good works.
“I was in Ido yesterday and we saw what they have over there, the therapy room and some of the equipment are just so massive and they are wonderful.
“And I think that other states should copy from what Ekiti State is actually doing in terms of special kids. I am very happy the way the state government really protect them even from entry into their compound, the security and the apparatus there, they are so wonderful.
“I know that the state government is actually doing great in terms of revenue generation, and not only getting this money, the money trickles down to the individuals that actually need this and one of those are these special needs children.
“So, if someone could come up with this and then thinking of giving their lives a new meaning, I think such a person deserves a huge recommendation.” Ogunola asserted.
Last modified: June 21, 2025
