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A former Minister of State (Transport), Ademola Adegoroye, has donated whiteboards and grinding machines to Ondo State School for the Hearing Impaired, Akure.
He made the donations on Saturday in commemoration of his birthday celebration.
The prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state organised a party celebrating his birthday with the students and staff of the school in the school hall.
During the celebration, the cultural group of the school, in native attire of Aso Oke, treated the attendees to traditional dance steps.
The gifts presented to the school include five white writing boards and two grinding machines.
Giving reasons for choosing to celebrate his birthday with students and staff of the special school, Adegoroye stated that nobody should be discriminated against because of his or her social status, health challenges, or infirmity.
He disclosed that he has always craved to help people with physical disabilities, adding that he celebrated his last birthday with students and staff of the Virtual Impaired School, Owo, in Ondo State.
Adegoroye, who was accompanied by some of his friends and associates, further disclosed that he had developed the idea when Chief Bamidele Olumilua was the governor of old Ondo State.
Besides the materials donated to the school, the former Minister promised to renovate the school hall where he celebrated his birthday.
The former lawmaker at Ondo State House of Assembly declared that he would always celebrate his birthday with students with physical disabilities.
He said: “Let me give God all the glory for keeping me alive to celebrate today. I appreciate the principal for allowing me to celebrate with his students and staff; if he had not allowed me, it wouldn’t have been possible.
“Last year, I celebrated my birthday with students and staff of the Visually Impaired School in Owo.”
He commended the staff of the school for their kindness and caring for others, which he said made it possible for them to train the students.
“I first called the principal to ask for what the school needs urgently. He then told me they needed whiteboards and grinding machines. That’s what informed the choice of the materials I donated to the school. I will always be available to assist you in whatever way possible.
“I also want to tell you that I will renovate this hall because I don’t like the way it looks now.
“Some of my friends have donated money for me, and some still promised to donate for me to be able to renovate this hall. Be prepared that work will start here in a couple of weeks’ time,” Adegoroye said.
The former Minister appreciated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for giving attention to all the special schools in the state, appealing to philanthropists and other stakeholders to join hands with the government in its efforts to equip the students to achieve their visions.
Adegoroye stated that he derives his happiness and fulfilment in bringing a smile to people’s faces by making an impact in their lives.
