By Cleopatra Eki,
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Iyaniwura Care Foundation, has organised cultural food parade competition for 30 participants with learning disability from 10 communities in Lagos State.
Project Co-ordinator, Olajumoke Otitoloju, on the sidelines of the competition, said it was to raise awareness on the untapped potential in young adults with intellectual disability.
She said the foundation was set up to give holistic care, protection, development, health, education and security to people living with disability.
She added that the event gave the participants the sense of full autonomy of their right as adults and in simple tasks as choosing, preparing and consuming their meals.
According to her, the food consumption patterns of these young adults with intellectual disabilities and the control over their food consumption is exercised by others, defining them as ‘children’ even though some are physically and chronologically adults.
“Food preparation skills are considered very relevant for people with intellectual disabilities. Most time the teaching of this skill is through the use of pictorial instructions or systematic prompting strategies to achieve their participation as a member of their society.”
The competition, which was judged on creativity, workmanship, taste and presentation, had Taiwo Sanni emerged as the first winner, while Tomisi Otubu emerged second and Olalekan Ogunkoya took the third position.
Some of the benefitting communities were Oshodi lga, Alimosho, Somolu, Mushin, Ikorodu, Ajeromi, Lagos Island Surulere, Bariga and Kosofe.
