Tobore Oborevwori Takes Autism Awareness Campaign To Agbor, Rejects ‘Ogbanje’ Stigma

By BLESSING AGWE ODUGO

A Call to End Harmful Labels

WIFE of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has called for a decisive end to the stigmatisation of children living with autism and other special needs, warning that harmful cultural labels continue to deny vulnerable children the acceptance, care and dignity they deserve.

Speaking during the Foundation’s free medical outreach in Agbor, Ika Federal Constituency, Oborevwori specifically condemned the practice of describing children with autism and other developmental conditions as spiritual children or referring to them as “Ogbanje.”

She said such descriptions reflect deep-rooted misconceptions that can isolate children and their families, discourage them from seeking appropriate support and undermine the rights of children who should be protected rather than rejected.

According to her, society must move beyond fear, superstition and harmful assumptions in its understanding of autism and other special needs.

“The practice of referring to children living with autism or other special needs as spiritual children, ‘Ogbanje,’ or by any other demeaning name, must be completely eradicated from our society,” she said.

Her intervention placed the Agbor outreach within a broader conversation about disability, culture and the responsibility of communities to ensure that children with developmental and other special needs are not defined by labels.

Dignity as a Fundamental Right

Oborevwori argued that children with autism and other special needs require understanding, education, healthcare and opportunities to develop their potential.

She stressed that having special needs does not reduce a child’s humanity or entitlement to dignity.

“These children may have special needs, but their dignity is not special, it is a fundamental right,” she said.

The First Lady also raised concerns about the limited availability of specialised educational facilities and support systems for children with autism and other special needs.

Her comments highlighted a wider challenge facing many families: awareness alone is not enough without schools, trained professionals, healthcare services and social systems capable of responding to the needs of vulnerable children.

She urged communities, institutions and other stakeholders to build a more inclusive environment where children are accepted and supported rather than hidden away or subjected to discrimination.

Healthcare Workers Urged to Show Greater Understanding

Oborevwori also directed attention to the role of healthcare providers in improving the experience of children with special needs and their families.

She appealed to health practitioners across Delta State to give priority and appropriate attention to such children whenever they visit health facilities.

According to her, medical workers should understand that some children may find crowded environments, prolonged waiting periods and long queues particularly stressful.

She urged healthcare personnel to show warmth, patience and compassion and, where possible, reduce unnecessary difficulties for children requiring special support.

The appeal reflects an understanding that inclusion extends beyond public statements. It must also influence how institutions operate and how professionals interact with vulnerable people.

You Matter Foundation Expands Its Intervention

The outreach in Agbor formed part of the activities of the You Matter Charity Foundation, which has continued to provide medical and welfare support to vulnerable people across Delta State.

The Foundation’s Director-General, Lawrentta Ogbedo, described Deaconess Oborevwori as someone who has consistently shown concern for people facing difficult circumstances.

Ogbedo disclosed that the Foundation had distributed 109 wheelchairs and 490 bags of rice to beneficiaries across the state.

It has also provided interactive boards and other forms of assistance as part of its humanitarian interventions.

At the Ika outreach, the Foundation presented 20 wheelchairs to persons living with mobility challenges.

The event also attracted support for a family raising two children with special needs, with ₦6 million reportedly raised towards their medical care.

The Foundation further pledged support for two other children facing serious health challenges, including one diagnosed with a brain tumour and another who reportedly ingested a poisonous substance.

Local Leaders Welcome the Outreach

The Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, welcomed the First Lady and commended the Foundation for bringing healthcare and support services closer to residents.

He said development should be measured not only by physical infrastructure but also by interventions that directly improve people’s lives.

Ehiwarior encouraged beneficiaries to take advantage of the medical services while stressing the importance of regular health checks.

He also thanked Oborevwori for visiting Ika Federal Constituency and expressed confidence that the intervention would have a positive impact on beneficiaries.

Government Restates Commitment to Vulnerable Residents

The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, who was represented by Dr. Gloria Onajite-Mok, said the state government remained committed to strengthening healthcare delivery and supporting vulnerable members of society.

He stressed the importance of early detection in improving health outcomes and urged residents to take advantage of available medical services.

The health commissioner also commended the You Matter Charity Foundation and its partners for complementing efforts to expand access to healthcare.

The Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Keagborekuzi Ikenchukwu, also praised the First Lady for her humanitarian interventions and her support for vulnerable people.

The traditional ruler particularly acknowledged the contribution of women to development in Delta State and Nigeria and urged continued efforts to identify people in need and provide them with meaningful support.

Beyond Charity, a Challenge to Society

The significance of the outreach extended beyond the distribution of wheelchairs and the provision of medical assistance.

Oborevwori’s rejection of the “Ogbanje” label directly challenged beliefs that can shape how children with autism and other developmental conditions are treated within families and communities.

For many affected families, stigma can become an additional burden alongside the financial and emotional demands of caring for a child with special needs.

The campaign for inclusion, therefore, requires more than occasional interventions. It demands changes in attitudes, better access to specialised education and healthcare, stronger professional support and greater public understanding.

At the Agbor outreach, the message from the Delta First Lady was clear: children with autism and other special needs should not be feared, hidden, insulted or defined by cultural misconceptions.

They should be recognised as children first—deserving of love, dignity, protection and every opportunity to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.