The Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the state government and well-meaning individuals to give more attention to the welfare of children in special needs schools across the state.
The Chairman of NUJ in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Amos Etuk, made this appeal on Friday during the 2025 Valentine Charity Outing organized by the Inspiration FM Chapel of the NUJ. The event, themed “A Heart for Others,” was held at the Learning Disabilities Society of Nigeria (LDSN) in Uyo.
Etuk emphasized the need for the incoming Commissioner for Education to prioritize the needs of children with disabilities to ensure a smooth learning process. He also expressed hope that Governor Umo Eno, through continued advocacy from the union, would one day visit the center and address its pressing needs.
He praised the teachers for their patience and dedication in guiding children with special needs, expressing optimism that greater support would soon come their way.
“This is the best Valentine’s moment I have witnessed. Seeing these children strengthens my faith in God,” Etuk said. “I will continue to advocate for the government to focus more on them. We have a governor who listens and has a passion for education and humanity, and I believe that through our efforts, he will visit this place someday.”
Earlier, the Chairman of Inspiration FM Chapel, Comrade Imaobong Dem, welcomed guests and highlighted the challenges parents of children with special needs face. She noted that these parents go to great lengths to provide for their children, many of whom possess exceptional talents in drawing, painting, and other forms of art.
She called for greater support for both the children and their parents to help them reach their full potential.
“When you look closely, you’ll realize that many parents raising children with disabilities feel isolated. If we provide more support, they can achieve so much more. Children with Down syndrome or autism are highly skilled and need all the encouragement they can get,” Dem stated.
Receiving learning materials, toiletries, and food items on behalf of the center, Inimfon Okorie expressed gratitude to the IFM Chapel for their continued partnership and for choosing LDSN as part of their Valentine’s outreach.
He noted that, beyond education using a government-approved curriculum, the center also offers skill acquisition programs to empower the children.
