The Wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Her Excellency Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, on Thursday, November 27, 2025, launched a free medical outreach for children with special needs and their caregivers in Ughelli, Delta Central, donating medication, wheelchairs, and a variety of assistive and educational devices.
The programme, organised by the You Matter Charity Foundation in partnership with the Delta State Ministry of Health and the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, provided medical check-ups, nutrition counselling, disability support services, and mobility and learning tools aimed at improving independence, access to care, and overall wellbeing.
Addressing parents and caregivers, Deaconess Oborevwori called for an end to the practice of hiding children with special needs, describing it as harmful and fuelled by stigma. She stressed that no child deserves isolation or denial of affection and basic support.
“It is not their fault. Every child deserves love, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive,” she said, decrying misconceptions surrounding autism and other developmental conditions. Many children, she noted, are kept away from school and medical care because families fear discrimination.
“Autistic people are everyday people who live among us. Autism is not a spiritual problem or an illness looking for a cure. It is a condition that can be managed with understanding, compassion, and the right professional support,” she added.
The First Lady said the outreach was designed not just to provide care but also to challenge misinformation and encourage early intervention. She urged mothers to show courage and bring their children forward for help instead of hiding them.
Reaffirming her Foundation’s commitment to improving the lives of children with special needs, she called on families, communities, and institutions to work together to build a more inclusive Delta State.
During the event, Dr. Ifeoma Udeh, Consultant Paediatrician at Asaba Specialist Hospital, warned that nearly half of Nigerian children suffer micronutrient deficiencies, driven by economic constraints, poor feeding habits, and cultural beliefs. She emphasised exclusive breastfeeding and early nutrition as lifelong investments.
Also speaking, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist Dr. Angela Bolum-Okolie urged parents to prioritise healthcare, education, and emotional support for children living with disabilities, stressing that early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes.
Medical teams conducted examinations and provided expert guidance as the outreach continued the Foundation’s mission of offering visibility, hope, and vital support to special-needs children across Delta State.
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