The Wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has intensified efforts to improve the lives of children living with autism and other special needs with the second round of the Foundation’s free medical outreach held for beneficiaries in the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency.
The outreach, organised in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health, provided free medical consultations, health education, essential medications, 120 bags of rice, 30 wheelchairs, three smart boards, physiotherapy toys, educational devices and other assistive materials to children living with autism and related developmental conditions.
Addressing beneficiaries, parents, caregivers and stakeholders at the programme on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Osubi Secondary School, Deaconess Oborevwori said the initiative was driven by the Foundation’s vision of building a society where every individual is valued regardless of disability or social status.
She noted that the outreach was expanded from the senatorial district level to the federal constituency level after the Foundation discovered that many families could not access support because of distance, lack of awareness and financial constraints.
According to her, many children living with autism and other special needs continue to face stigma, discrimination and exclusion from education, healthcare and community life.
“Today’s outreach is more than a medical programme. It is a demonstration of love in action. It is a platform for raising awareness about autism and other special needs, providing free healthcare services, supporting families and encouraging communities to embrace inclusion instead of discrimination,” she said.
She reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to standing with parents and caregivers while advocating for policies and partnerships that would improve the wellbeing of children with special needs across Delta State.
Deaconess Oborevwori urged governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, healthcare professionals and families to work together in building an inclusive society where every child is given equal opportunities to thrive. She also appealed to Deltans to reject stigma and discrimination against children living with autism and other developmental disorders.
“Let us replace fear with understanding, prejudice with acceptance and indifference with compassion. Together, we can build communities where every child is celebrated, every family is supported and every individual is given the opportunity to flourish,” she added.
Earlier, the Director-General of the You Matter Charity Foundation, Barr. Lawrentta Ogbedo, highlighted the Foundation’s achievements in supporting autistic children and other vulnerable groups across Delta State. She disclosed that the medical outreach would continue to other parts of the state to ensure more families benefit from the programme.
The Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, commended the governor’s wife for consistently championing the welfare of vulnerable people, especially children living with special needs.
He pledged the support of stakeholders across the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in partnering with the You Matter Charity Foundation to expand its humanitarian interventions.
Medical experts at the event also educated parents and caregivers on autism spectrum disorder and other developmental conditions. Paediatricians Dr. Angela Bolum-Okolie and Dr. Okeroghene Mudiaga-Erhueh explained that autism is not a communicable disease and stressed the importance of early diagnosis, regular medical care, nutritious feeding, social therapy and inclusive education.
They encouraged families to seek professional medical support while advocating for greater public acceptance of children with special needs.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, applauded Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori for her sustained investment in education and support for children with developmental challenges.
He urged individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to emulate the Foundation’s humanitarian efforts by supporting programmes that improve the lives of vulnerable children.
In a vote of thanks, Mrs. Amara Ejofodomi, a parent of an autistic child who received a wheelchair during the outreach, expressed gratitude to Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori and the You Matter Charity Foundation for taking free medical care and support directly to vulnerable children at the grassroots.
The outreach forms part of the You Matter Charity Foundation’s broader healthcare and social intervention programmes aimed at promoting inclusion, improving access to quality healthcare and ensuring that children living with autism and other special needs receive the care, dignity and opportunities they deserve across Delta State.
