Disability Not a Curse but a Blessing, Says 20-Year-Old Adeoyo Hospital Orderly

A 20-year-old orderly at the Oyo State Maternity Hospital, Adeoyo, Saidat Olajumoke, has described her disability as a blessing rather than a curse, saying it has brought renewed hope and restoration to her family.

Olajumoke made the remark during the Catch Them Young Initiative Campaign held at HLA Primary School, Gate area of Ibadan, on Thursday.

Popularly known as “Omo Chairman,” Olajumoke expressed gratitude for the opportunities she has received despite the challenges associated with living with a disability. She said her journey has helped restore lost years and hope for her family.

She recalled that she once struggled with feelings of abandonment, social neglect, and the difficult living conditions faced by her mother, Mrs. Sidikatu Sanusi, a staff member of the same hospital. At one point, she said, the challenges nearly pushed her to consider suicide.

However, Olajumoke said her life took a positive turn when the Chairman of the Oyo State Hospital Management Board, Akin Fagbemi, approved her employment as a ward orderly during the recent recruitment of health workers in the state.

According to her, the job opportunity restored her confidence, improved her social relationships, and brought joy to her family. She noted that people who once ignored her now approach her for financial assistance.

Olajumoke called on Nigerians to promote social equality and inclusivity, urging the public to change their perception of persons living with disabilities.

“Nigerians should stop looking down on persons with disabilities. No one is completely without some form of limitation. Social equality will help improve our country in many ways,” she said.

She also commended the signing of the disability law in Nigeria and urged the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure its full domestication and implementation so that persons with disabilities can actively compete in sectors such as finance, security, technology, education, science, and the arts.

Olajumoke further praised the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, for supporting the disability community through appointments and employment opportunities.

She noted that the establishment of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, led by Director-General Ayodele Adekanmbi, alongside other initiatives, has given members of the disability community renewed hope. However, she appealed for increased funding to support training programmes and the provision of tools and equipment for pupils and students with disabilities.

In her remarks, Olajumoke’s mother, Mrs. Sidikatu Sanusi, said her daughter was born during a period of intense marital challenges but grew up to be talented and academically inclined despite her physical limitations.

Sanusi appealed to the state government, through the Hospital Management Board, to assist her other children in securing low-cadre jobs to support the family before her retirement in 2027.

She explained that the current economic situation has made it difficult to sustain the family, noting that she supplements her income after work by engaging in small-scale jobs such as grinding corn.

Also speaking with journalists, the Education Secretary of Ibadan North East Local Government Education Authority, represented by the Head of General Administration and Services, Mr. Tunde Akinpelu, commended the initiative and described it as a step toward building a more inclusive society.

He called on government at all levels to strengthen and adequately support special schools to encourage both pupils and teachers.

Similarly, education advocate Mrs. Mariam Ogundiran and a parent at HLA Primary School, Mr. Ajibola Azeez, urged parents of children with disabilities to nurture their talents while calling on government to fully domesticate and implement disability laws.

Earlier, the Chief Coordinator of the Catch Them Young Initiative and Bright Lens Media Networks, Mrs. Ayodeni Aluko, encouraged persons with disabilities to remain confident and focused, noting that determination, faith, and perseverance can lead to a brighter future.

As part of the programme, five educational clubs were inaugurated at HLA Primary School for pupils with disabilities. The clubs include Press, Security, Health, Environmental, and Literary and Debate, with Mercy Osunnuwa, John Oladeji, Yusroh Sodiq, Idera Adebowale, and Olayiwola Azeez appointed as coordinators respectively.