Foundation unveils initiatives to empower children with special needs in Abeokuta
A foundation aimed at advancing inclusive education and child development has been launched in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The initiative, Fasabeks Hope Foundation, is designed to support children with special needs
A foundation aimed at advancing inclusive education and child development has been launched in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The initiative, Fasabeks Hope Foundation, is designed to support children with special needs as well as physically fit children through a range of holistic and inclusive programmes.
Speaking at the launch, the founder and visioneer, Mrs. Fausat Adetokunbo Sogoyinbo, described the event as the birth of a vision and the beginning of a journey to create meaningful impact. She explained that the foundation was established out of compassion and a strong conviction that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Sogoyinbo noted that many children with special needs still encounter significant barriers in accessing quality education, healthcare, emotional support and social inclusion. She added that physically fit children also require structured guidance within inclusive environments to develop into responsible and confident adults.
“Disability does not define destiny. With the right support system, every child can learn, grow and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.
She explained that the foundation is built on three core pillars—holistic support, inclusive environment and empowerment.
According to her, the organisation will provide services designed to enhance the physical, emotional and social well-being of children, while creating safe spaces where children of different abilities can learn and interact together.
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“Inclusion builds empathy, unity and stronger communities,” she added.
Outlining the foundation’s implementation strategy, Sogoyinbo said the immediate plans include completing registration processes, setting up a board of trustees, recruiting qualified personnel and developing a comprehensive service framework.
She also called on government agencies, healthcare professionals, educators, corporate organisations, parents and other well-meaning individuals to collaborate with the foundation in achieving its objectives.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Investing in the Future: Empowering Special Needs Pupils for Success,” Community Health Physician, Dr. Issa Kamarudeen, stressed that special needs education should be treated not merely as a humanitarian gesture but as a structured and policy-driven responsibility.
Kamarudeen highlighted different categories of special needs, including individuals with visual and hearing impairments, physical and intellectual disabilities, autism and albinism, as well as at-risk children and gifted learners.
He explained that Special Needs Education and Rehabilitative Services (SNERS) require individualized educational programmes delivered across school, home and hospital settings in line with global best practices.
The physician also outlined specialised support systems required for various conditions, including orientation and mobility training, Braille literacy, assistive technology, sign language training, physiotherapy, speech therapy, life skills development and customised learning tools.
He further called for increased resource mobilisation through the establishment of resource centres, scholarship schemes, community outreach programmes, capacity-building workshops and the provision of assistive equipment and information and communication technology tools.
