- Leads Mega Campaign On Awareness Creation
BY PATRICK MGBODO
Outgoing Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko yesterday called for strategic government policies and programmes targeted at helping children with autism and special needs.
Mr Bayoko disclosed this to our correspondent during an autism awareness walk in Asaba, the Delta State Capital organized in his honour and part of the weeklong activities to celebrate his retirement on March 29 2025.
The campaign tour, led by the Head of Service, proceeded from the Prof Chike Edozien Secretariat with a brief stopover at the Office of the Head of Service (Cabinet) before terminating at the Inter-Bau Roundabout.
Addressing the crowd of civil servants at his office, Bayoko said the campaign was to raise awareness that “autistic children are not different from us. They just have a different configuration.”
‘’Indeed, they are a blessing. My daughter, particularly, has taught me something in life. She has taught me to show patience; she has taught me to show empathy and she has taught me the meaning of unconditional love and this is something I am grateful for.
‘’There is a need for us to understand what autism is all about. For me, I have had a special-needs child for close to 23 years. So, I understand what it is all about. All these years, I have always treated my special-needs daughter just like my other children.
‘’Autism is not a sickness, it is not a curse. It is just a child who has been configured differently and God does not make a mistake. He is the One who created all humans and if he created that (autism), it means that He has a purpose for the individual to serve’’ Bayoko said.
Responding to the challenges of children with autism and how they can be helped, Bayoko told The Pointer ‘’I know that the government has plenty of role to play. If we have to be honest, the role of government, starting from the Federal to the Local levels, has not shown enough for special-needs children. ‘’But thankfully, the wife of the Delta State Governor, Dcns Tobore Oborevwori has this as her special pet project and by the grace of God, it will be included in the larger government programmes.’’
Speaking on the sidelines, the incoming Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Minnie Oseji lent her voice in calling for more action to give the necessary attention to the situation (autism), just as she encouraged schools to fashion measures to help children living with autism.
Others who spoke include the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Karo Ovemeso; the immediate past Permanent Secretary (Office of the Head of Service), Mr Patrick Ojeblenu; and the Chairman of the Association of Education Officers, Delta State, Comrade Jemijere Unuigbe.
During the walk, the Director of Elim-Bridge Autism and Neurodevelopmental Foundation, Dr Chris Chijioke called for a culture of love and acceptance in breaking the barrier of misunderstandings and stereotypes that can lead to stigmatization and isolation.
