22nd January, 2025
Students from Lagos State’s Junior Inclusive High Schools were honoured for their outstanding performances at the grand finale of the Quiz Competition organised by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).
The final round, held at the Academic Event Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja, featured five schools: Methodist Junior School, Badagry; Ipakodo Junior School, Ikorodu; Ikeja Junior High School; Sango Junior School, Agege; and Odo Obara Junior School, Epe.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and advancing educational opportunities for children with disabilities.
Represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Omolade Sonubi, she emphasised the initiative’s role in nurturing the talents and potential of students with special needs.
“The competition goes beyond academic excellence. It showcases the remarkable capabilities of students with disabilities while encouraging them to excel in their educational pursuits,” she said.
Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted the competition’s preliminary rounds held last year, which assessed students’ knowledge across various subjects.
The top-performing schools advanced to the finals, where their skills and understanding were further tested.
She added, “This initiative promotes educational integration and breaks down stereotypes, showing that every child, regardless of their abilities, has unique talents to contribute. By creating inclusive opportunities, we nurture a society that values diversity, empathy, and inclusion.”
Oyetunde-Lawal also urged the public to reject discrimination against people with disabilities, describing such acts as unjust and inhumane.
“It is our collective duty to provide a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and access quality education without exception,” she stated.
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Grace Abolarin, praised the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for prioritising the needs of students with disabilities.
She noted ongoing efforts to improve learning facilities for special education students.
At the end of the keenly contested quiz, Odo Obara Junior School, Epe, clinched the top prize, with Sango Junior School, Agege, and Ikeja Junior High School finishing second and third, respectively.
Methodist Junior School, Badagry, and Ipakodo Junior School, Ikorodu, took the fourth and fifth positions.
Participants commended LASODA and the Lagos State Government for their unwavering support in enhancing the academic base of inclusive high schools and creating opportunities for students with special needs.