Parents Stop Hiding Children With Special Needs, Deaconess Oborevwori Urges Delta Women

By: Elizabeth Ide

The Wife of the Governor of Delta State and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Her Excellency Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has appealed to parents, especially mothers to stop hiding children with special needs, stressing that “it is not their fault” and that every child deserves love, care, and visibility.

She made the appeal in Ughelli, Delta Central, on Thursday, November 27, during the flag-off of a free medical outreach for children with special needs and their caregivers, organised by the You Matter Charity Foundation in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health and the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Addressing women at the event, Deaconess Oborevwori decried the stigma surrounding Autism and other developmental conditions, especially in rural communities. She explained that misinformation has led many parents to conceal their children, denying them access to education, healthcare, and emotional support.

“Autistic people are everyday people. They live among us, and they deserve to be treated with love and dignity,” she said.

“Autism is not a spiritual problem or an illness seeking a cure; it is a condition that can be managed through understanding, compassion, and professional care.”

Wife of Delta State Governor and Founder, You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori (middle), Wife of Deputy Governor, Ezinne Catherine Onyeme (3rd left), Wife of the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mrs Timiebi Guwor (2nd right) flanked by Caregivers for the Children with Special Needs during a presentation of Wheelchairs by Deaconess Oborevwori on Thursday, November 27, 2025 in Ughelli.

She added that the state-wide outreach aims to raise awareness, end stigma, and encourage parents to seek help early.

Deaconess Oborevwori urged women to be courageous, bring their children forward, and reject societal pressure or fear of judgement. She reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for children with special needs and called on families, communities, and organisations to help build a more inclusive society.

Giving health talks at the event, Dr. Ifeoma Udeh, Consultant Paediatrician at Asaba Specialist Hospital, revealed that an estimated 50% of Nigerian children are micronutrient deficient. She identified economic pressure, ignorance, and cultural misinformation as major drivers of malnutrition and stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

Similarly, Dr. Bolum-Okolie Angela, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist also at Asaba Specialist Hospital, echoed the First Lady’s call for parents to stop hiding their children with disabilities. She urged caregivers to prioritise access to education, healthcare, and emotional support, noting that early intervention improves long-term outcomes.

Medical professionals were on ground to assess the children, as the Foundation donated free medication, wheelchairs, and various assistive and educational devices to the children to improve mobility and independence for those who need additional support.