By TQM News
The disability community in Osun State achieved another milestone on Friday, August 29, 2025, as the Spinal Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Nigeria (SBHAN) Osun State Cluster was officially inaugurated and inducted into the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Osun State Secretariat, Osogbo.
With this development, JONAPWD Osun State now boasts six strong and functional clusters, including Albinism, the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), the Deaf Association, the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), Persons with Physical Disabilities, and the newly inaugurated SBHAN.
The colourful event was attended by stakeholders from across the disability community, civil society, political parties, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies, all lending their voices to the growing movement for inclusion in the state.
In his address, Mr. Oluwafemi Stephen Idowu, Chairman of JONAPWD Osun State, hailed the induction as a major victory for disability inclusion, stressing that the expansion of clusters reflects the association’s determination to ensure that “no disability group is left behind in the struggle for equal rights, recognition, and representation.”
The ceremony had in attendance the Acting National President of SBHAN, Mr. Hassan Funmilayo, who traveled from Lagos to grace the occasion. His presence was described as both symbolic and inspiring, as he commended the Osun State chapter for its resilience and commitment to amplifying the voices of persons living with Spinal Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
“We believe this induction will not only strengthen SBHAN in Osun State but also provide a platform for stronger collaboration with other disability clusters. Together, we can achieve lifelong care, advocacy, and social inclusion for our members,” Funmilayo said.
Other dignitaries present included:
- Mr. Aghanti Smith Sunday, Secretary of JONAPWD Osun State
- Mrs. Fasilat Akamu, ASP, Nigeria Police Force
- Mr. Luqman, APC PWD Representative in Osun State
- Mrs. Ishola Omotola, Women Leader, JONAPWD Osun State
- Comrade Eboffin, representative of the Civil Society/NGO community
- Mr. Ajibola Adams, PRO, JONAPWD Osun State
Also in attendance were representatives from Eco Bank’s marketing department, all cluster heads and representatives from albinism, NAB, Deaf, SCIAN, and physical disability groups, as well as the 30 local government chairpersons of JONAPWD Osun State.
The inauguration was described as a landmark event that expands the “inclusion net” of JONAPWD Osun, bringing together diverse disability groups under one umbrella to amplify collective voices and champion the rights of men, women, and children with disabilities across the state.
In her goodwill message, Mrs. Ishola Omotola, the Women Leader of JONAPWD Osun, emphasized the importance of giving women and girls with disabilities a stronger voice within the clusters, noting that inclusion must be intersectional and gender-responsive.
The event concluded with a resounding affirmation of solidarity as participants chanted the slogan: “Up SBHAN – Lifelong Care We Need!”
With SBHAN now inducted as the sixth cluster in Osun, JONAPWD has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to unity, representation, and the pursuit of equal opportunities for all persons with disabilities.
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