Dr. Oyindamola Adejumo, founder of the Oratorio Music Foundation, has called on the Osun State Government to extend assistance to Aworanti Obaloluwa, a disabled graduate from the Federal Polytechnic Ede who is currently battling severe depression.
In a statement to Vanguard, Adejumo highlighted that Obaloluwa’s condition has worsened due to prolonged unemployment and a lack of social support.
Expressing deep concern, Adejumo, who established the Oratorio Music Foundation in 1996, urged the state government to act swiftly. “I vouch for Obaloluwa and strongly appeal to the Osun State Government to intervene before it’s too late,” he stated.
“I first met Obaloluwa in 2008 when she joined the Oratorio group at the Federal Polytechnic Ede. Despite her disability, which affects her legs and makes walking difficult—though she does not use crutches—Obaloluwa was known for her service spirit and joy in singing.
“Unlike many, who seek financial aid, she never asked for anything; she wanted to contribute and give back. She comes from a rural area near Ilesa, where her elderly parents struggled as peasant farmers. Despite this, she pursued her education with determination, completing both her ND and HND at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede.
“I had assured her that with her degree and her status as a disabled woman, job opportunities would be available, especially given Nigeria’s policies favoring the employment of persons with disabilities. However, nearly eight years after her graduation, no job has materialised. Her father passed away five years ago, forcing Obaloluwa to return to her village and the family farm, where she became isolated and cut off from job prospects.
“Four years ago, she managed to secure a teaching position at a local nursery and primary school, earning just N12, 000 per month.
“I prayed for her and wished I had the connections to highlight her plight to government officials, as her disability qualifies her for automatic employment. Despite her struggles, Obaloluwa continued to send me small gifts of farm produce, like vegetables and locust beans.
“A year ago, she expressed her desire to move to Ibadan, hoping to save enough money to rent a room. While I wanted to support her, I was concerned about the challenges she would face—unemployment and loneliness in a city where she had no friends or family. She then withdrew, stopped talking about her struggles, and eventually, we lost touch. I never imagined her circumstances had pushed her into depression.
“On August 26, 2024, I received a message from her after months of silence. She congratulated me on the success of a recent Oratorio concert. When I asked if she had moved to Ibadan, her response shattered my heart. She revealed that she had left Nigeria and arrived in Côte d’Ivoire with no job, no accommodation, and had been stranded on the roadside since her arrival. Her frustration had driven her to flee with no clear destination, just an escape from her pain.
“I am terrified for her safety and well-being. I fear she could fall victim to traffickers, kidnappers, or worse. Obaloluwa is at a breaking point, and I do not want her life to be cut short by desperation or tragedy.
“I appeal to the Osun State Government to come to Obaloluwa’s aid. I know many state governments in Nigeria reserve employment slots for persons with disabilities, and I believe Osun State is no exception. I implore the First Lady of Osun State, the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, and the Commissioner for Women, Children, and Social Affairs to intervene urgently. Obaloluwa’s life is at risk and she needs immediate help.
“Let us not allow a capable, educated young woman, who has fought so hard against adversity, to be abandoned in her moment of greatest need. With the right support, Obaloluwa can be saved from the brink and her life can be transformed. Please, let us act swiftly to help Obaloluwa.”
(allnews.ng)
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