Unilorin Don Seeks Support for Autism School in Ilorin as Rose Hope Foundation Expands Intervention for Special Needs, Elderly

 Unilorin Don Seeks Support for Autism School in Ilorin as Rose Hope Foundation Expands Intervention for Special Needs, Elderly

By Idris Alooma 

An Associate Professor at the University of Ilorin, Dr. Ruth Abiola Adimula, has called on government at all levels, non-governmental organizations, and well-meaning individuals to support Spectrum Academy in Ilorin and its other branches across Nigeria to enhance their service to humanity.

Dr. Adimula, a lecturer at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, made the appeal while delivering a goodwill message at the press briefing for the unveiling of the School of Autism, Skills Acquisition Centre, and Elderly Care Home under Spectrum Academy, located on Agba Dam Road, Ilorin. She described the facility as a “gigantic and impressive edifice” that requires collective support to grow faster and reach more beneficiaries.

In her address, the Executive Director of Rose Hope Foundation, Pastor Rose Afolabi, unveiled the foundation’s expanded social intervention agenda in Ilorin, Kwara State, with the launch of Cadeau Spectrum Academy and a free vocational training programme for persons with autism, people with special needs, and the elderly. Afolabi said the initiative was born out of a strong commitment to inclusion and dignity for vulnerable groups in society. She described Rose Hope Foundation as a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives through care, education, and advocacy, with a focus on individuals with special needs and the elderly who are often underserved and overlooked. Established in April 2024, the foundation runs four core programmes: an Autism Academy, an elderly care and assisted living home, free vocational training, and research and community engagement initiatives.

She disclosed that while the foundation has other academies in Lagos and Abuja set to open soon, the Ilorin centre is ready and will be officially opened in August this year. Application forms are now available online at http://www.Rosehopefoundation.org.

Afolabi explained that Cadeau Spectrum Academy was founded on the philosophy that children with autism should not be marginalized but nurtured. “‘Cadeau’ means gift. Every child, including those with autism, is a gift to be treasured, not a burden to be hidden,” she said. She stressed that each child carries unique strengths and possibilities that must be developed. To that end, the academy provides individualized learning supported by speech and language therapy, occupational and sensory integration therapy, behavioral support, and creative learning through art and technology. Its classrooms, therapy rooms, and sensory spaces are purpose-built to provide a calm, structured environment where children on the autism spectrum can thrive. A boarding facility also ensures consistency in care and intervention, which the foundation considers critical to developmental outcomes.

On elderly care, Afolabi said the foundation is addressing growing concerns of neglect, loneliness, and health challenges among older persons. “In every society, elders are custodians of wisdom, yet many now face isolation. At Rose Hope Foundation, we believe growing old should never mean being forgotten,” she said. The foundation’s retirement home offers assisted living, healthcare access, social engagement, and emotional support. “Caring for elders is not charity. It is a responsibility rooted in love,” she added.

The foundation also announced an upcoming free vocational training programme in tailoring, hairdressing, and barbing, targeting persons with special needs and other interested individuals. The programme is designed to equip participants with practical skills that promote independence and self-reliance, with application forms to be released soon.

Afolabi highlighted the role of research and community engagement in shaping the foundation’s interventions, including advocacy visits to government institutions and collaboration with stakeholders. She confirmed that Cadeau Spectrum Academy has received government approval, following preliminary engagements with relevant authorities in 2025. She further revealed that the academy model is being replicated beyond Kwara State, with a branch already established in Epe, Lagos State. “This is more than a school. It is a movement of hope, inclusion, and opportunity aimed at ensuring no child with autism is left behind, regardless of location,” she said.

She commended the Kwara State Government and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting inclusive education initiatives, particularly the Kwara State School for Special Needs in Ilorin, while calling for increased investment in special education, training, and infrastructure across all levels. Afolabi also acknowledged media organisations, partners, friends, and family members for supporting the foundation’s vision, describing their contributions as instrumental in bringing the mission to life. 

To parents of children with special needs, she offered reassurance: “There is hope. Your children are not defined by diagnosis. At Cadeau Spectrum Academy, we are committed to walking this journey with you.” The Rose Hope Foundation reiterated its call for partnerships with government agencies, private organisations, and philanthropists to expand access to inclusive education and care services nationwide.

Dignitaries at the event included Prof. Biodun Adimula, former Director of Academic Planning, University of Ilorin; Mr. Michael Olarewaju, General Manager of Diamond FM Ilorin, who chaired the occasion; Mr. Idris Alooma, General Manager of UNILORIN FM; and several journalists from broadcast and online media.