In an evening defined by “hope put into motion,” the Nima Memorial Care Foundation convened its 2026 Annual Symposium and Grand Ball at the Marriott Hotel, Lagos, marking a pivot in the national conversation on disability.
Under the theme ‘Empowering Every Child: Breaking Barriers for Children with Disabilities,’ co-founder Zainab Abdumalik Muhammed delivered a stirring call to action, urging Nigeria’s leaders, educators, and policymakers to move beyond the traditional “language of pity” toward a framework of real opportunity.
The event served not only as a celebration of a cherished legacy but as a platform to advocate for a society where a child’s condition no longer dictates the altitude of their dreams.
Addressing a distinguished audience of community leaders and healthcare professionals, Muhammed emphasised that the most formidable obstacles facing children with disabilities are not physical, but rather the “harder barriers” of stigma, neglect, and systemic misunderstanding.
Muhammed said when she and her team steps up to empower one child with disabilities, the impact ripples outward: ”We lift entire families. We strengthen whole communities. We help build the kind, just society we all want to live in.”
According to her, empowerment means opening doors to quality education, creating spaces where every child can learn, play, grow, and dream — free from discrimination and it also means moving from pity to real opportunity, and from silence to courageous advocacy.
She stressed that every child deserves dignity, inclusion and a fair chance, adding that the Nima Memorial Care Foundation exists to make that promise real.
“Day by day, we turn love into tangible action, compassion into meaningful support, and a precious memory into lasting change.
“Tonight reminds us that one life can spark so many others.
Honoring this legacy isn’t just about looking back — it’s about carrying the journey forward with kindness, service, and hope.
But we can’t do this alone.
“No foundation, no movement, no mission succeeds in isolation. It takes all of us — working hand in hand,” Muhammed explained.
She called on policymakers, educators, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and advocates to lend their voice and ensure their influence, and choices truly matter.
She assured that together, schools can be designed to welcome every child and communities to wrap around every family, and policies made to protect dignity and rights for children with disabilities.
“To the incredible families raising children with disabilities: please know you are not alone. Your strength moves us, and your resilience is exactly why this work feels so urgent and worthwhile.
“And to every supporter, partner, and friend of this foundation: your generosity isn’t just giving — it’s hope put into motion,” she added.
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos commended the Nima memorial care foundation for the unwavering advocacy, compassionate and commitment to children and families who too also must navigate systems that are not designed with them in mind.
The governor who was represented by Sonubi Omolade, Director of the Administration and Human resources dept, Lagos state office for disability affairs at the event, said every child in Lagos state deserved to learn to grow and to belong regardless of their physical developmental and competitive abilities
He described this as justice and equity, adding that the standard by which people must measure progress as a society in Lagos State.
He said Lagos State has chosen to confront this responsibility deliberately through the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, (LASODA).
“We are spreading a system that recognises the right, dignity and potential of persons living with disabilities over the years. LASODA has grown into a critical institution registering over 100 disability associations and extending support across communities ensuring that no group visibly and not visible excluded.
“We are also giving inclusion at the grossroots level working with local government, community structure and traditional institution to ensure that accessibility and opportunity are not confined to policy documents alone but are reflected in everyday life across our state but we know that work has to be done that is why in our approach we are focused, practical and people-centred.
“First, we embark on early identification and intervention programmes, we recognise that any support can change the tragedy of any child’s life, that’s why we are strengthening the monumental screening pathways and expanding through community-based health systems so that families can help when it matters the most not after it had been lost
“Second, we established inclusive education schemes that truly works. Lagos state currently has a growing network of inclusive schools over 50 across the state where children with disabilities are learning alongside their peers in more supportive environment but it goes beyond access we are investing in teaching capacity, specialised learning tools and school infrastructure to ensure that every child is not just present in the classroom but supported to succeed,” the governor explained.
He also said Lagos State is expanding an access to care and assist in the distribution of devices including mobility aids and learning tools to targeted medical outreach programmes.
“We are working to reduce the every day barriers faced by children and their families. In recent intervention alone, 100 of assisting devices have been provided to improve mobility, communication and independence.
“Forth, we support or families and care-givers. We understand that behind every child is a family navigating emotional complex financial and social realities through targeted financial support programmes including grants in disability homes, community and organisations,” the governor explained.
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