News
CandleLight Foundation Equips Parents, Educators to Boost Literacy for Special Needs Children
By Admin
In a bid to support children with exceptionalities and their families, CandleLight Foundation for Children with Special Needs (CLSN), a leading non-governmental organization in Nigeria, has initiated a significant step toward empowering parents, teachers, and caregivers with the skills to foster literacy development in children with special needs.
Speaking during a virtual workshop organized by the Foundation in Lagos, Ms. Bukola Owoniyi, Program Therapist at CLSN, stressed the importance of adopting effective literacy techniques tailored for children with diverse learning needs. She emphasized the need for continuous training for teachers, parents, counselors, and other stakeholders on inclusive education.
“This initiative is part of our broader efforts to bridge the literacy gap among children with learning disabilities,” Owoniyi stated. “We believe that every child, regardless of their condition, has the right to access quality education.
Through this training, we are equipping those who interact most closely with these children to help them unlock their full potential.”
The one-day workshop attracted parents, special education professionals, and caregivers who were introduced to various literacy-enhancing strategies, including multisensory learning, the use of assistive technologies, and personalized learning plans. Experts from the education sector provided insights into the specific challenges faced by children with special needs in reading and writing, and practical methods for addressing these challenges.
Miss Deborah Odunlami, another Program Therapist, delivered a presentation on “Inclusive Teaching Methods and Support.” She advocated for a holistic approach to inclusive education, which involves parent involvement, community collaboration, and the use of assistive technology. Odunlami also highlighted that inclusive teaching methods benefit not only students with disabilities but all learners, fostering a more collaborative and understanding classroom environment.
“An inclusive classroom isn’t just about supporting students with special needs,” Odunlami explained. “It’s about ensuring that every student, regardless of their background or learning style, can reach their full potential.”
One of the most impactful moments of the workshop came from a special needs mother, who made a heartfelt appeal to parents of children with disabilities. She urged parents to become advocates for their children, rather than isolating them due to societal pressure or fear of judgment.
“Hiding them away doesn’t change their condition; instead, it limits their potential to live fulfilling lives,” she expressed. “Every child deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, and given the same rights as any other child. Parents need to step up and be the voice for their children.”
She also underscored the critical need for greater public awareness and acceptance of children with special needs in Nigeria, citing the lack of understanding and inadequate resources as major challenges facing families caring for these children.
The CandleLight Foundation remains a leading advocate for inclusive education in Nigeria, continuing to provide support not only to children with special needs but also to their families and caregivers. In the coming months, the Foundation plans to roll out more training sessions across the country to further strengthen literacy development efforts and enhance the quality of life for children with exceptionalities.
As public awareness grows and inclusive education becomes more widely embraced, initiatives like this workshop represent an important step forward in ensuring that children with special needs have the opportunity to thrive academically and socially in Nigeria.
News
Activists confess receiving N500m Naira to blackmail Tinubu’s Minister Matawalle, beg for forgiveness
Five civil society activists and media operatives on have openly confessed to being part of a N500 million coordinated blackmail campaign against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and tendered an unreserved public apology to him.
The activists, led by Comrade Aryan Abdul Kareem, made the shocking revelation at a press conference in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Speaking on behalf of Comrade Olumu Lucky, Comrade Olukayode Williams, Comrade John Osumbor Mark, and Engineer Bashir Muhammad, Kareem disclosed that the entire operation was sponsored and supervised by the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal Dare through his Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
According to the group, Sulaiman Bala Idris personally convened several secret meetings where they were briefed, handed instructions, and provided with funds.
The campaign, they said, cost “above five hundred million naira” and involved recruiting social media influencers, bloggers, political commentators, conventional media houses, and prominent Zamfara politicians including Senator Kabiru Marafa and Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi.
“We were part of that machinery. We accepted money and roles to circulate damaging and false narratives against Dr. Bello Matawalle even though we knew they were lies. We chose financial inducement over conscience,” Kareem admitted.
The activists said their actions caused “serious emotional pain, reputational damage and distress” to the Minister, his family, and supporters, adding that after deep reflection, they decided to come clean.
“Today, we tender our unreserved apology to His Excellency, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and to every Nigerian who was misled by the falsehood we helped spread. We beg for his forgiveness and the forgiveness of the public. This apology is born out of genuine remorse,” the statement read.
The group further declared readiness to face any legal or moral consequences, stating that they possess “documentary evidence” of every transaction and meeting, including with Governor Lawal’s Spokesperson.
“We are ready to submit all the evidence and cooperate fully with the EFCC, DSS, police or any competent authority that wishes to investigate this matter,” they affirmed.
While urging other participants in the alleged plot to also confess, the activists said their decision was aimed at cleansing their conscience and helping to enthrone truth and accountability in Nigerian politics.
Nigeria’s security agencies have reportedly uncovered a plan by some opposition politicians to organise protests in Sokoto and other northern states against President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Fresh intelligence reports made available to journalists on Friday show that former Senator Kabiru Marafa is the main arrowhead of the plot.
The group is allegedly working to discredit NSA Nuhu Ribadu and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by falsely linking them to bandit groups and using a Sokoto-based militia to trigger violent protests.
Sources say the Zamfara State Government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, is strongly backing the plan and providing funding, determined to paint the federal security team as incompetent and force the removal of both Ribadu and Matawalle.
Security operatives detected the scheme this week, monitored several planning meetings in Gusau and Abuja, blocked funding channels, and quietly disrupted the operation.
No arrests have been made, but all the key figures are now under close surveillance.
The key figures are now being monitored by security agencies to track their key sources of funding.
Nigeria’s security agencies have reportedly uncovered a plan by some opposition politicians to organise protests in Sokoto and other northern states against President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Fresh intelligence reports made available to journalists on Friday show that former Senator Kabiru Marafa is the main arrowhead of the plot.
The group is allegedly working to discredit NSA Nuhu Ribadu and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by falsely linking them to bandit groups and using a Sokoto-based militia to trigger violent protests.
Sources say the Zamfara State Government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, is strongly backing the plan and providing funding, determined to paint the federal security team as incompetent and force the removal of both Ribadu and Matawalle.
Security operatives detected the scheme this week, monitored several planning meetings in Gusau and Abuja, blocked funding channels, and quietly disrupted the operation.
No arrests have been made, but all the key figures are now under close surveillance.
The key figures are now being monitored by security agencies to track their key sources of funding.
NUPRC’s Digital Compliance Systems, Licensing Reforms Positioning Nigeria for Stronger Energy Investment, says BusinessMetrics
Forgive your blackmailers and focus on helping Mr. President deliver on his security agenda, group tells Minister Matawalle
Activists confess receiving N500m Naira to blackmail Tinubu’s Minister Matawalle, beg for forgiveness
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