The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, joined the world to celebrate the 2021 International Women’s Day with physically challenged persons.

Oba Adeyeye, in collaboration with a Toronto Canada based NGO, Hope4Sure Foundation, organized an event tagged: 'Ability in Disability' at the ancient Ile Oodua Palace of Ile-Ife.

The traditional ruler, who doubles as the Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), commended the women, most especially mothers of the physically challenged children for the works and efforts put towards the proper upbringing and upkeep of their children.

"These children are special, not disabled in any form they are special persons who should be accorded with necessary care and not sympathy.

"I wish to tell our mothers and women globally who have these children to keep considering them as God's gift and God's gifts will continue to multiply in their lives," Ooni said.

In her remarks, the convener of Hope4Sure Foundation, Peju Oke, disclosed that the potentials in these physically challenged persons are the motivation behind the programme dedicated to them.

Oke added that "This is not the first time Hope4Sure Foundation will be holding a humanitarian event in collaboration with the Ooni of Ife. We have paid hospital bills and school fees of the poor and other vulnerable persons in our society but we chose to do this for our children who have physical challenges to show them love.

"I sincerely thank our father, the Ooni, for making this a reality and all those who supported us. We won't stop with this, we shall continue in humanitarian activities like this towards making life better for all."

Besides, it was gathered that about one hundred women were trained freely in tie and dye fabrics known as Adire fabrics.

It was disclosed that the empowerment was aimed by the Ooni to give the women financial independence.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Adire African Textile Hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, revealed that the one day training was planned by the Ooni to expose women and young girls to opportunities in the textile industry in commemoration of the International Women's Day.

"We designed this to inform and train them because the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula believes that information is power. They are going to learn basics with which they can start up something to support their families while they can also apply to learn further after today to know more," Ademiluyi stated.

Recalled that Oba Adeyeye, had during the last Aje festival, commissioned the Adire textile production hub, a cultural centre built on a 30,000 square meters of land with a vision to empower youths through the revival of local fabrics.

Talents displays such as singing, dancing, choreography, graphics designs, paintings and others were showcased by the “special persons”.

Also prizes were won by the outstanding talented women in disability.

See photos below: