By Joshua Olomu
Tobechi Achionye ,multi-talented autistic savant and runway model, aka Kind Toby, has taken a campaign on kindness and inclusive empowerment to school for special needs to mark the 2025 World Kindness Day(WKD).
The source reports that the event with the theme “ Kindness for All Abilities”, held on Thursday at the School for Special Needs, Kuje, Abuja.
It featured the ‘Inclusive Runway for Kindness’, where Kind Toby and other models walked the runway alongside the school pupils, demonstrating inclusion.
The artist also put up a scintillating musical performance on stage, presenting some of his hit singles, including ‘I be Somebody’ and ‘Be Kind.’
In his welcome address, Kind Toby said the campaign was dedicated to promoting kindness, inclusion, and awareness for children with special needs.
According to him, every child regardless of their background or circumstances, needs the opportunity to participate fully in society and to achieve their full potential.
Representatives of civil society groups, child right advocates, educators and other stakeholders from both the public and private sectors were present at the event to support the ace artist, including the Police and the FRSC, among others.
In his goodwill message, Mr Mohammed Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the president on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, lauded Toby and his team for organising the event.
According to Isa, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to inclusive development and empowerment for Nigerians in line with his Renewed Hope mantra.
“Inclusion is the hallmark of any kindness, and that is why President Bola Tinubu created the office of the Senior Special Assistant to him on people with special needs for inclusive empowerment.
“With this, I want to assure the school management the commitment of this administration towards advancing the course of people with disabilities.
“We have so much creativity in persons with disabilities, and I am calling on development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to identify with them.
“I am calling on everybody, including corporate bodies to come together for a partnership so that we can advance the cause of inclusion for persons with disabilities,” he said.
Also speaking, Sen. Frank Ibezim, called for equitable systems and structures to promote acceptance and access for children with special needs.
Ibezim, who is an uncle to the artist, lauded stakeholders who identified with the initiative.
“All we are trying to do is to encourage inclusion because there is a strong ability in every disability and we need to encourage that.
“They have all come here today to encourage inclusion and when you look at these young ones here today, you can tell that just is in the air.”
In his remarks, Mr Isaac Ikpangetor, Head Teacher of the School, said the event was a historic display of kindness and inclusion for the children.
“I’m very happy to see these great people come to the level of these children to celebrate them, it shows inclusion and acceptability.
“We are calling on Nigerians of goodwill to come here to support us as the government cannot do it alone. “
The Highlight of the event was the presentation of two books ; “Be Kind: A Story of Understanding, Kindness and Autism Awareness” and ‘I Can Share: Kindness Awareness”.
The books are authored by Mrs Noni Okocha, the Chief Executive Officer of “I Am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative”.
NAN reports that World Kindness Day, celebrated globally each year on Nov. 13, highlights the power of kindness in the community, focusing on the positive power of kindness.
It is a day that encourages individuals to overlook boundaries, race and religion and show kindness to others.
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