For 38 years, the School of Special Needs in Kwara State has been offering the deaf and visually-impaired people the opportunity to live their dream, Success Nwogu writes on some of the professionals the school has produced

 Afolayan, 39, from Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State was not born deaf but circumstances dealt a sad blow to his ambition. According to him, he was a normal child and attended some primary schools and was doing well until age 14 when he had a high fever and went for medical treatment that led to his hearing impairment.

 He said, "I was hearing before.  But one day, I had   a high fever and took chloroquine which affected my hearing. I first noticed that my hearing level was declining, later I couldn’t hear anything again.

"I was 14 years old then. When my uncle found out that I could not hear again and could not go to classroom, he said there was no need keeping me at home. We had spent three years going up and down for solution at different kinds of hospital.  When they found out that I wanted to go to school, they brought me to this school of special needs in 1994.

" It was not easy for me to adjust in the first place. But as time went on, I adjusted and moved on despite the challenges, but with the assistance I am getting here, I am okay."

Afolayan initially wanted to be a lawyer, but could not because he did not have credit in English Language. According to him, he was required to pass a test in Oral English as one of the requirements for passing English Language. He said the candidates were required to listen to the radio and answer questions, which he could not because of his hearing impairment. 

His father encouraged him to pursue another career given his disability.  He got admission for a National Certificate of Education programme and was  later  employed  by the  Kwara State teaching service commission in 1989.

He went for a degree programme while he retained his teaching job. He said, "I decided to enrol  for my teaching programme at the University of Ilorin. I teach English Language here.  I have done my Master’s in Special Education."

He  however appealed to the federal and state governments, international donor agencies, corporate organisations, groups and wealthy individuals to assist him and other challenged people so that they could achieve their ambitions and help in the development of the society and the country.