As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, the Planter of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has urged Nigerians to pray for the country’s leaders instead of condemning them.
At the same time, the Open Arms Children’s Development Centre, Millennium City, Kaduna State, has called for greater support for children with developmental disabilities through inclusive education, vocational training and improved access to opportunities.
Olu-Alo, who felicitated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, other South-West governors, traditional rulers and Nigerians, said sustained prayers could help the country overcome its challenges and encourage leaders to govern in accordance with the will of God.
In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant, Deji Ogunbusuyi, the cleric urged Tinubu to remain responsive to the concerns of Nigerians and continue to pursue measures aimed at improving the living conditions of citizens.
He also appealed to Oyebanji to sustain cooperation with his predecessors and extend a hand of fellowship to opposition figures willing to contribute to the development of Ekiti State.
Olu-Alo said the 66th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence provided an opportunity to appreciate God for the country’s journey and pray for its future.
He said: ‘We appreciate God for seeing us this far in our great country and my dear state. While Nigeria is 66 years old on October 1, 2026, my dear state, Ekiti State, is also 30 years old.
‘I therefore congratulate our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and all Nigerians on this occasion. May God bless Nigeria and Ekiti State.
‘We pray for the founding fathers of our country and the founding fathers of Ekiti State. It shall be well with them. God will continue to direct the path of our leaders, in Jesus’ name.’
The cleric said the welfare and stability of Nigeria had remained a major concern in his prayers and activities as a servant of God.
He added that his recent visits to Israel and other biblical sites had provided opportunities to pray for Nigeria.
Centre seeks greater support for children with disabilities
The Open Arms Children’s Development Centre, Millennium City, Kaduna State, has called on governments, private organisations and other stakeholders to provide greater support for children with developmental disabilities.
The centre made the appeal during an Independence Day funfair organised for children at the facility, which caters for children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and learning disabilities.
The Centre’s Director, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, said the celebration provided an opportunity to recognise the potential of children with disabilities and promote their independence, self-reliance and ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
According to her, the centre, established in 2011, had recorded progress in helping children develop essential life skills, including personal hygiene, feeding, writing and other activities of daily living.
Abdullahi said some of the children had progressed to other schools, while others were benefiting from vocational training introduced by the centre.
She explained that the vocational programme began with sewing, with plans to introduce photography, computer skills and other practical training to enable the children to acquire skills for future employment and financial independence.
Abdullahi disclosed that her personal experience as the mother of a 24-year-old daughter living with cerebral palsy motivated her to take over the centre after its founder indicated plans to return to Lagos.
She said the difficulty of finding an appropriate school for her daughter inspired her commitment to providing educational opportunities for children with similar conditions.
The director, however, identified the shortage of competent special education teachers as one of the centre’s major challenges.
She noted that some graduates were reluctant to work with children with disabilities because of inadequate practical experience and the demands of the profession.
Abdullahi also expressed concern over the stigma and discrimination faced by children with disabilities, saying some parents had withdrawn their children from the centre’s preschool after discovering that children with disabilities were also enrolled there.
She called for increased public awareness to promote acceptance and inclusion, stressing that children with disabilities deserved equal respect, support and opportunities to develop their abilities.
She further appealed to government and private organisations to assist the centre in acquiring its own premises, explaining that a permanent facility would enable it to create a more suitable learning environment for the children.
A parent whose son attends the centre, Sa’adatu Haruna Gintso, expressed satisfaction with her child’s progress, saying the boy had improved in reading, writing and independence since enrolling at the school.
She advised families raising children with disabilities to exercise patience, provide the necessary support and recognise the children as a blessing, adding that their development required understanding, care and encouragement.