The wife of the Delta State Governor, Mrs Tobore Oborevwori, has urged parents to stop the culture of hiding children with special needs, describing the practice as harmful and rooted in ignorance.
Oborevwori, who made the call at the flag-off of a free medical outreach for special-needs children and their caregivers in the Ughelli area of Delta State on Friday, said no child should be isolated or denied visibility, care, and affection.
The governor’s wife, who is the founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, said the outreach was organised by her foundation in partnership with the Delta State Ministry of Health and the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
She said, “I want to make a passionate appeal for an end to the culture of hiding children with special needs; the practice is harmful and rooted in ignorance. No child should be isolated or denied visibility, care, and affection. It is not their fault. Every child deserves love, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive.
“Autistic people are everyday people who live among us. Autism is not a spiritual problem or an illness looking for a cure. It is a condition that can be managed with understanding, compassion, and the right professional support.”
She expressed deep concern over the widespread stigma surrounding autism and other developmental conditions, noting that many children are kept away from school and medical care due to fear of judgement.
The First Lady stated that the state-wide medical outreach was designed not only to provide care but also to raise awareness, confront misinformation, and encourage parents to seek early help, urging mothers to show courage by bringing their children forward for support rather than hiding them.
She reiterated her foundation’s commitment to advocating for children with special needs and called on families, community groups, and institutions to work together in building a more inclusive Delta State.
The outreach featured medical check-ups, nutrition counselling, disability support services, and the distribution of wheelchairs, mobility aids, and learning tools designed to enhance independence, access to care, and overall well-being for children with special needs.
Delivering health talks at the programme, a Consultant Paediatrician at Asaba Specialist Hospital, Dr Ifeoma Udeh, warned that about 50 per cent of Nigerian children are micronutrient deficient, citing economic pressure, poor feeding choices, and cultural beliefs as major contributors. She stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and early nutrition.
Also, Dr Bolum-Okolie Angela, a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist, echoed the First Lady’s message and urged parents to prioritise education, healthcare, and emotional support for children living with disabilities, noting that early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes.
Across many Nigerian communities, children living with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental conditions are still frequently kept indoors due to stigma and cultural misconceptions. Advocacy groups say families often do this out of fear of discrimination, shame, or spiritual interpretations of disability within their communities.
This has resulted in thousands of children missing schooling, healthcare, and early-intervention opportunities that could improve their long-term development.
Delta State has taken steps in recent years to improve support for persons with disabilities through targeted health and social initiatives. The state government, through the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, has provided free health insurance coverage for hundreds of persons with disabilities, a move authorities say is aimed at improving their access to essential care.
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