The Cerebral Palsy Multidisciplinary Team, in collaboration with the Child Development Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Osun Field Office, joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 World Cerebral Palsy Day with the theme “Unique and United.”
The event, organised by the Cerebral Palsy Multidisciplinary Team, was held to celebrate the unique abilities of children living with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and to strengthen collective efforts toward improving their care and social inclusion.
Convener of the programme, Dr. Oluwatosin Olorunmoteni, Consultant Neuropaediatrician, described children with CP as “extraordinary in their own way,” noting that the celebration provided a platform to recognise their strengths and reinforce public understanding. She appreciated the OAUTHC management, members of the multidisciplinary team, and the WHO for their consistent partnership, stressing that caring for children with CP remains a shared societal responsibility.
Representing the Chief Medical Director, Prof. John Okeniyi, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Josephine Eziyi, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to child health and inclusive care. She urged parents not to hide their children living with CP but to encourage their active participation in social life. She also called on fathers to play more visible roles in the care of their children, noting the low male turnout at the event.
Prof. Eziyi emphasised that Cerebral Palsy affects all social groups, including health professionals, and encouraged mothers to remain resilient and pursue personal growth despite the challenges of caregiving.
Representing the WHO Osun State Coordinator, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ojediran, Dr. Basiru Fatoki commended OAUTHC’s leadership and staff for their sustained commitment to raising awareness and supporting children with CP. She applauded caregivers for their dedication and called for strengthened collaboration with initiatives such as the Family Development Initiative, Early Childhood Development Initiative, and the Osun State Ministry of Health to improve access to quality healthcare and inclusive education.
The Head of the Department of Paediatrics, Prof. Bankole Kuti, lauded all caregivers and professionals working with children with CP, describing them as “real children with unique gifts.” He advised parents to focus on their children’s abilities rather than their limitations, celebrate their milestones, and build support networks for shared learning and encouragement.
In her presentation, Mrs. Rosemary Egunjobi, Headmistress of Ijesa Special Needs Children School, Ilesa, urged parents to show love, patience, and tolerance to enhance their children’s confidence and development. Sharing her experience as both a teacher and mother of a child with CP, she described her journey as “transformative and fulfilling.”
Delivering a virtual presentation from Plateau State, Ms. Uchenna Madueke, Disability Rights Ambassador and teacher at Open Doors Special Education, Jos, shared her perspective as a person living with Cerebral Palsy. She highlighted the importance of positive attitudes from parents, teachers, and peers in shaping children’s educational outcomes. “Love and commitment remain the most powerful tools for unlocking their potential,” she said, adding that education empowered her to contribute meaningfully to society.
Two mothers, Mrs. Wahab Yetunde and Mrs. Folasade Owojori, shared testimonies of their children’s progress under OAUTHC’s care and expressed profound gratitude to the hospital’s paediatric team for their dedication.
World Cerebral Palsy Day, celebrated globally every 6th of October, aims to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of people living with Cerebral Palsy. The commemoration promotes inclusion, access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, empowering individuals with CP to live fulfilled and impactful lives.
