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By Our Reporter

Delta First Lady, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has called for an end to the stigmatisation and harmful labelling of children living with autism and other special needs, urging Nigerians to replace misconceptions with acceptance, care and support.

Mrs Oborevwori, who is the founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, made the call on Tuesday during the Foundation’s free medical outreach in Agbor, Ika Federal Constituency.

She expressed concern over the treatment of children with special needs in some communities, particularly the practice of describing them as spiritual children or referring to them as “Ogbanje.”

According to her, such labels are rooted in misconceptions and undermine the dignity of children who deserve love, protection, education and opportunities to realise their full potential.

“The practice of referring to children living with autism or other special needs as spiritual children, ‘Ogbanje,’ or by any other demeaning name, must be completely eradicated from our society,” she said.

The First Lady also raised concerns over the inadequate educational facilities and specialised support available to children with autism and other special needs.

She called on communities, government agencies and other stakeholders to promote greater acceptance and inclusion, stressing that every child deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Oborevwori further appealed to healthcare practitioners across Delta State to give special attention to children with autism and other special needs whenever they visit health facilities.

She urged medical personnel to understand their peculiar needs, treat them with warmth and patience and, where possible, minimise the stress associated with long queues and prolonged waiting periods.

“These children may have special needs, but their dignity is not special, it is a fundamental right,” she said.

The Director-General of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Lawrentta Ogbedo, described Oborevwori as a mother who had consistently demonstrated concern for vulnerable people across the state.

Ogbedo disclosed that the Foundation had so far donated 109 wheelchairs and 490 bags of rice, in addition to interactive boards and other forms of assistance to beneficiaries across Delta.

Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, welcomed the First Lady to Ika land and commended the Foundation for bringing healthcare services closer to residents.

Ehiwarior said genuine development was about touching lives, urging beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity provided by the outreach and to prioritise regular medical checks.

He also thanked Oborevwori for making time to visit Ika, saying her presence and intervention would leave a lasting footprint in the constituency.

The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, represented by Dr. Gloria Onajite-Mok, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and caring for vulnerable residents.

He emphasised the importance of early detection in improving health outcomes and encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the medical services offered during the outreach.

The Dein of Agbor, Obi Benjamin Ikenchukwu Kaigborekuzi I, also commended Oborevwori for her efforts in supporting children and vulnerable people across Delta State.

The traditional ruler praised the contributions of women to the development of Delta State and Nigeria, particularly women in the civil service and other sectors, while commending the First Lady for her support for women and vulnerable members of society.

Highlights of the outreach included the presentation of 20 wheelchairs to persons living with mobility challenges and the raising of ₦6 million towards the medical care of a family with two children living with special needs.

The Foundation also pledged to support the treatment of two other children diagnosed with serious medical conditions, including a brain tumour and another who reportedly ingested a poisonous substance.

The outreach underscored the Foundation’s continuing intervention in healthcare and social welfare, while reinforcing the call for a more inclusive society where children living with special needs are treated with dignity rather than stigma.