The Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Hon. Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, has called for stronger support from the private sector, non-governmental organisations and individuals to improve the welfare of children living with autism, disabilities and other special needs in Delta State.
Ezenyili made the appeal on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when he received the wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, during a free medical outreach organised for children with special needs in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
The council chairman commended the Foundation for directing its humanitarian intervention towards children with special needs, describing the initiative as a timely response to the challenges confronting vulnerable families.
He particularly praised Deaconess Oborevwori for complementing the healthcare efforts of the Delta State Government, noting that families caring for children requiring specialised attention often needed support beyond what government alone could provide.
According to him, the responsibility of creating an inclusive society should be collectively shared by government, businesses, corporate organisations, civil society groups and community stakeholders.
Ezenyili said greater collaboration would help improve access to medical care, assistive devices, therapy, education and other essential services for children with special needs.
Oborevwori Urges Parents to Reject Stigma
Speaking at the outreach, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori urged parents and caregivers not to allow social stigma or negative perceptions to diminish their confidence in raising children with autism and other special needs.
She stressed that every child deserved love, dignity, acceptance and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society, regardless of their physical, developmental or other challenges.
“Parents, do not allow society’s misunderstanding or negative comments to make you feel ashamed of your child. There is a place for these wonderful children in our society,” she said.
The First Lady also called on individuals, organisations and communities to extend their support to caregivers, observing that families often face significant emotional, financial and social pressures while caring for children who require additional assistance.
“Let us lend a helping hand to these children and by extension, to their parents and caregivers,” she appealed.
Oborevwori said although the You Matter Charity Foundation could not provide solutions to every challenge faced by families, it remained committed to supporting them within its available resources.
“We may not have all the solutions to every challenge you face, but we want you to know that the You Matter Charity Foundation cares about you and is willing to stand with you in whatever little way we can,” she added.
860 Beneficiaries Reached
The Foundation’s founder disclosed that about 860 children had so far benefited from its interventions, alongside adults and elderly persons reached through its wider humanitarian programmes.
At the Aniocha/Oshimili outreach, 160 children with special needs drawn from the four local government areas in the federal constituency benefited from the intervention.
The beneficiaries received medical consultations and other healthcare and welfare assistance, while 40 wheelchairs, 160 bags of rice, smart boards and therapy toys were also provided as part of the support package.
The intervention was designed to ease some of the financial and practical burdens confronting families caring for children with special needs.
Asagba Commends Humanitarian Initiative
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, described the initiative as a commendable humanitarian intervention founded on compassion and concern for vulnerable members of society.
The monarch praised Deaconess Oborevwori for complementing government efforts in the healthcare sector and promoting greater inclusion for children living with special needs.
Azinge described the First Lady as a humanitarian whose interventions had continued to inspire others to contribute to the welfare of vulnerable people in society.
He pledged his support for the initiative and urged local governments, private organisations, individuals and other stakeholders with the capacity to assist the Foundation to support its programmes.
The outreach underscored the importance of sustained collaboration among government, charitable organisations and communities in ensuring that children with special needs receive the healthcare, dignity, acceptance and opportunities they deserve.
