• Physically-challenged Ayedun steals show at FCE Akoka convocation, graduates with 4.73 CGPA distinction
By Damiete Braide
At the 38th convocation of Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, 23-year-old Aishat Ayedun, physically challenged graduate, was the star attraction. She graduated in Biology, Department of Integrated Science, with distinction.
Ayedun, whose ailment started in 2012, hails from Kwara State. She observed that whenever she walked, she got tired. She could not walk for long like she used to do: “Later, I could no longer walk, which made me to use crutches. After using crutches for a while, I had to lean on walls to walk.
“When I could no longer walk, I was referred to the Federal College of Orthopaedic Technology, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. When there was no improvement, I was referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
“During this period, my mother played an important role such as carrying me on her back and she would bring me back. She did all the things that a mother would do for her daughter.
“Sometimes, when I wanted to go to school, and there was no okada or tricycle, she would carry me on her back to and fro school. Sitting down for a while became a problem to me because it wasn’t easy. It caused me back pain. Other times, I got irritated as a result of sitting down for too long.
“With my situation, I still relate well with people. I am jovial and respectful. I also treat people equal with love. I have hope that I will walk again in life because I wasn’t like this at birth. This made me to write a book titled, ‘My Life, My Hope,’ which is yet to be published.”
Her ambition is to become a lecturer of Guidance and Counselling: “My next line of action is to complete my degree programme with good grades and proceed to do my master’s programme.
“I don’t want to limit myself because I know I can still further my education. I want to encourage people in similar situations like me. If they are not successful, they cannot tell a story. They should not look down on themselves. They should not look at their present situation, but use their ability to the best they can.”
Mrs. Olufon Adenike Iweze, former principal, Gbagada Girls Senior Secondary School, Lagos, said; “I met Aishat in 2012, when I was posted as the principal of the school. In all my interactions with her, she showed that there is ability in disability. She has been a source of inspiration to me. She has shown determination, courage and total trust in God in all her activities.
“I have always known she would become great. Aishat is an achiever and is somebody who has remained focused and courageous. She has this vision about herself. I see her working towards that great vision.
“I prophesy into her life that she is really going to be great. Not just in Nigeria but in the world. On a day like this, it’s a great privilege for me to congratulate her. The sky is just her beginning. It is the grace of God that made our paths cross. I must say that the privilege that God gave me to do in her life was really for His own glory.
“I cannot take the glory. I return all the glory to God who made it possible for us to meet in 2012. I have learnt a lot from her. First and foremost, not to take things for granted. To be appreciative of whatever I have and whatever I am.
“Aisha has a lot of support from her mother. I cannot really say anything about Aishat without talking about her mother. Aishat always had the desire to go to school.
“When she didn’t have a wheelchair, her mother would carry her on her back in the morning. She would take her to school and bring her back from school in the afternoon. Her family rallied round her. They may not have had much but they had love, which propelled her to be what she is today.
“She did well in her Junior Secondary School Examination and West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Now, she has graduated with distinction. I am not surprised with her NCE. I am expecting her to get better results in her degree programme after graduation.”
Mrs. Onomade Olusola, a teacher in CMS Girls Senior Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, said: “When she came to the school in SS1, she said she wanted to be a science student. I looked at her condition and asked how she would cope.
“Along the line, we had challenges. Her mother was not financially buoyant to take care of her. The principal, myself and other teachers rallied round her to see that she succeeded.
“What I noticed about her was that she had the zeal to learn. Even after secondary school, I continued to follow her up until she got admission into Federal College of Education (Technical). She got assistance from the Lagos State Ministry of Health. We encouraged her until she gained admission. She reads a lot. To the glory of God, today’s convocation is a success story.
“Aisha graduated with 4.73 distinction. I wish she could continue her degree with a scholarship. With all the efforts from friends and teachers, it will cushion the effects on those who have been supporting her education.
“I urge the public not to discriminate against physically challenged persons but assist them where necessary. If I had looked down on her when I met her in September 2014, she would have been discouraged and might not have gone this far.
“People should not look down on physically challenged people as beggars. Look at them as people that need to be encouraged. Government should give them automatic employment so that the efforts they put in to go to school would not be a waste.”
Dr Mazeezat Erinosho, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said her relationship with Aishat started when a friend, who happens to be her Physics teacher told her about her plight:
“I visited her. I saw a young girl that is so promising and focused and enabling. I told myself this girl will go places if she has the enabling environment. I was actually concerned about her medical condition since she is physically challenged.
“This made me to involve other specialists to see what can be done for her. Her situation is spinal cord compression because her mother was not well guided as to where to seek medical attention.
“I later invited a Nigerian plastic surgeon based in United States of America to LASUTH. He said I should bring her to the hospital and he started managing her with other specialists.
“The enabling environment from inception has been there for her. Her schoolmates when she got admission to FCE Akoka and the school management and the hospital have been so supportive. I engaged Lagos State Government and we got support from them. She has started her degree programme. As Oliver twist, we are asking for more. The government cannot do everything.
“Aishat for me is passion-driven. I keep telling God that He should not let me get disappointed. Let Aishat be a source of solace for her family. I told her, your mother is the secret super star, you are not the secret super star.
“Your mother was there for you. She is still there for your even when people thought she would not make it in life. Her mother stood by her through thick and thin. The mother does menial jobs and at some point, it affected her health.
“Aishat has started her degree programme. I hope God will make a way out for her. She still needs a lot of support in terms of medical care and her education.
“I urge individuals, corporate organisations to support Aishat. The sky is just the beginning for her. I want to tell parents that children with special needs are gifted. They should provide them the enabling environment to thrive, show them love. The world would be a better place for me and you.”