The University of Jos, through its Advancement Office in collaboration with the University of Jos Volunteer Group, has launched its maiden Disability Inclusion Lecture as part of a three-day programme to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event, held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Adamu Adamu Hall, Naraguta Campus, was themed “Empowering Abilities, Enhancing Inclusion: Creating a Barrier-Free Campus for All.”
Since its inception in 1975, the University of Jos has educated over 40,000 students across various disciplines and employed diverse staff, including persons with disabilities. Despite its long history and federal establishment, this marks the university’s first-ever Disability Inclusion Lecture Series, a significant milestone in its efforts to foster an inclusive environment for all members of its community.
This lecture, delivered by Dr. Jake Epelle, Founder/CEO of the TAD Africa Foundation, aimed to inspire action and raise awareness about disability inclusion while addressing the barriers that hinder full participation within the campus community.
The first day of the programme, Thursday, November 28, 2024, was dedicated to creating awareness and celebrating inclusion through a series of impactful activities. It featured the PWD Awareness Outreach, 14 events, and the Schools Debate. The Awareness Outreach commenced at the Naraguta Campus of the University of Jos, where students with disabilities distributed flyers to other members of the university community to raise awareness about the significance of the programme.
The outreach then moved to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where participants continued their advocacy, informing people about the groundbreaking nature of the event and its importance in fostering inclusivity.
Subsequent activities, including the sporting events, were held at the sports field beside the Jos University Primary School on Bauchi Road Campus and at the Adamu Adamu Hall on Naraguta Campus. The events aimed to promote understanding, highlight the talents of persons with disabilities, and encourage a spirit of unity among participants.
A notable highlight of the day was the sports match between students with disabilities and the volunteer group, which concluded with an impressive 3-1 victory for the disabled students.
The second day, Friday, November 29, 2024, was marked by the Disability Inclusion Public Lecture. Held at the Adamu Adamu Hall, Naraguta Campus, the lecture served as the central event of the programme.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Sarah Lwahas, Director of the Advancement Office and Linkages, underscored the significance of the lecture series. “The initiative of this event is borne out of the desire to join the global community in advocating for an inclusive society and to create equitable opportunities for our students and staff in the development of our society,” she said. She highlighted the Advancement Office’s role in securing donor support for teaching, research, and the holistic needs of students and staff, noting that inclusivity is a leadership priority under Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tanko Ishaya.
Owojori Damilare, a staff member of the Advancement Office, shed light on the inspiration behind the event. “The idea of this event is the brainchild of the executive director of the Advancement and Linkages Office. She bears the dream, and we are here to bring it to fruition. This is how the event came to life. The aim of this event is to make sure our campus is all-inclusive, with everybody having equal access to all facilities on campus,” he shared.
Dr. Bodang Juliana Rotkangmwa, Head of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, emphasized the Advancement Office’s role in promoting inclusivity. Representing the Vice-Chancellor, she said, “The Advancement Office has birthed this event to promote inclusion on campus. This was proposed to the management because structures in the university, particularly in the Faculty of Education, weren’t constructed with people with disabilities in mind. If you are to create an inclusive setting within the university, the first step is to have an inclusive curriculum and infrastructure, all-encompassing to bring them on board.”
Dr. Bodang also presented a landmark disability policy provided by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tanko Ishaya. The policy outlines specific steps to foster inclusivity on campus, including the development of accessible infrastructure, the establishment of support services for students and staff with disabilities, and the integration of disability awareness into the university’s curriculum and administrative processes.
She also expressed optimism about the recommendations for establishing a Directorate for Special Needs and a UNIJOS disability policy. “It is my hope that these steps will mark a significant move toward ensuring long-term inclusivity at the University of Jos,” she said.
Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, Commissioner of Information and Communication for Plateau State, said in his address, “Our government accommodates people not minding what they face. As I stand, you may not see my disability, but we all have disabilities. The Advancement Office has done well because it gives us an opportunity to give God all the glory.”
Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, revealed plans to establish a special desk for students with disabilities within the Directorate of Student Affairs, stating, “By January, we hope it will be functional, providing targeted support for students with special needs.”
Prof. Joseph Maina Musa, Dean of the Faculty of Education, celebrated the groundbreaking event, expressing his pride in witnessing such progress. “I’m happy to stand before you to celebrate a day like this, the first of its kind in the university. Most importantly, I’m happy it’s celebrated while I’m still the dean of this faculty,” he said.
Sister Civian Obi, HACJ of Ganaka International School for Special Education, remarked on the importance of the event when interviewed. “It is a great opportunity for those who see themselves as unworthy to realize how qualified they are in the world,” she said. She added that the awareness provided by such lectures is valuable for societal development and worth government investment.
Adeyemo Gideon, a 300-level Sociology student, shared his thoughts on the lecture during a conversation. “The lecture was very insightful and an evergreen experience. It helped me understand that these are not disabled persons but persons with special needs,” he said.
The event also featured captivating performances by students from various schools and the university’s Department of Theatre and Film Arts. Through these performances, the importance of fostering a barrier-free community on campus was brought to life, emphasizing the power of art in advocating for inclusivity.
Reflecting on the event, Prof. Lwahas emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative. “The advancement office proposed this annual lecture series to the Vice-chancellor, and he accepted it. Our intention is to use this platform to promoteinclusivity in all we do as a university, and we plan to expand its scope in the coming years.”
The final day of the event, Saturday, November 30, saw the Advancement Team, in collaboration with the Volunteer Group, actively addressing immediate challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the Village Hostel. They worked to provide practical solutions, including patching up potholes, clearing gutters, and repairing pathways to ensure the hostel’s accessibility. Volunteers carried out repair works, cleaned hostel rooms, fixed damaged slabs, and cleared water drains to improve the living conditions for the physically challenged students. The Director of Advancement was present and actively involved, alongside other staff and prominent personalities, demonstrating the university’s commitment to inclusivity.
This effort is just the beginning of a broader vision to create a barrier-free campus community. The success of this inaugural event signals the dawn of a more inclusive and accessible future for the University of Jos.
Report and Photo by David Alfred Koma (Special Education and Rehabilitation Science Correspondent) (3/5)
Edited by Fakwagh Israel Ciboh
