By Cleopatra Eki
A call has been made to stakeholders to support the Federal Nigeria Society For The Blind projects to boost their welfare and national developent.
Mrs Ayopeju Njideaka, Chairman White Cane Safety Day, made the call at Oshodi Lagos. ,”This will go a long way in supporting our efforts and work towards breaking down barriers affecting the visually impaired.’ She outlined some activities of the event at the including roadwalk and eye clinic.
Among those executive present were Mr Oluwamayowa Oke- Executive Secretary and Mr Gilbert Chigozie Asogwa, Principal,Federal Nigeria Society For The Blind and other members of society..
Njideaka emphasized that while we all pray for perfect sight, no one is one hundred percent assure if this gift as we are all prone to becoming visual impairment either through accident, diseases or other ailments.
She appeal to all media platforms Please use all – Television, Radio , Print Media and Social Media platforms to presenting this White Cane Agenda to the Nigerias – both government and citizens (Federal, States and Local Governments), the corporate and business communities, the non-governmental civil society organizations like ours and the Nigerian general public.
The White Cane is ensures that the onset of blindness does not prevent a person from moving freely and living a self-reliant life that the blind use canes as mobility aids.
She emphasized the importance of the White Cane has become a symbol of freedom, independence, and confidence. The use of such a cane enables a blind person to move about freely in his/her environment, A visually impaired person who is able to use the cane effectively can accomplish his/her daily tasks with ease.
The walk from MUSON , Onikan , Lagos to Falomo and back to MUSON.This charity walk, we have engaged a broad range of communities Schools, cycling enthusiasts, power Bike enthusiasts, corporate organisations, religious bodies and individuals.
We expect the members of the public residing along this route to join us in the walk while we have been assured the active participation of the police, LASTMA, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Ministry of Information, as well as several of our other corporate friends.
Simultaneously with the walk, Dr. (Mrs.) Mosunmade Faderin Omotoso, a veteran Ophthalmologist and a member of the Executive Council of the FNSB shall lead her medical team in conducting free eye screening exercises for about a hundred public transport drivers who are members of the NURTW. This shall at a convenient point at MUSON Park, TBS Lagos
The Eye screening exercise is aimed at ensuring that the Drivers are properly diagnosed for any existing visual ailment that requires urgent attention in order to enhance safety on the aforementioned eye screening,
Speaking Chairman, Executive Council, Mr Fusi Akinkugbe said The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind is committed to empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of the visually impaired. Our rehabilitation programme ensures that they are once again useful to themselves and the society.
He added that the visually impaired have used canes as mobility tools for centuries. But it was not until after World War I that the white cane was introduced.
He pointed that the use of white canes by blind people in Nigeria may be traced to the early 1950s when rehabilitation of visually impaired persons in Nigeria began at the School for the Blind in Gindiri near Jos, Plateau State.
This was about two years before the birth of the FNSB in 1955. FNSB then founded the Vocational Training Centre for the Blind (VTCB), Oshodi, Lagos State in 1956.
Akinkugbe said that FNSB advocacy and awareness on 2022 White cans Safety Day Agenda, Our advocacy and awareness efforts are in line with Sustainble Development Goal 10- Reduced Inequalities. This SDG seeks to reduce inequalities caused by all forms of disabilities.
Mr Gilbert Chigozie Asogwa, Principal,Federal Nigeria Society For The Blind appealed to bring their blind wards to the schools so they empower themselves and society
He added that Mobility training (particularly the use of the white canes) is a corner stone in the VTCB’s rehabilitation programme for the blind
We promote free mobility and self-reliance among the visually impaired. This also makes it easier for relatives of the visually impaired to care for them without abandoning their own daily economic and other activities.
Speaking to some blind persons, they urged government and stakeholders to address these questions below for a better life and co -existence in the society. These are the following questions- Are there appropriate federal and state legislations guaranteeing the protection and safety of white cane users?
Is there progressive nationwide sensitization of Drivers, other road users and the general public on how to relate with and assist white cane users so that the Drivers are taught to stop whenever a white cane holder intends to cross while friends and relations of white cane users know that it is not right for sighted guides to lead the blind by pulling the other end of the white canes?
Are the attitudinal dispositions of the sighted members of the public towards the blind white cane users characterized by accommodativeness, sense of belonging, equality, mutual respect and love rather than condescension, inferiority complex, intolerance, etc?
Are the roads and especially the sidewalks and kerbs and pedestrian bridges conducive for white cane users rather than be dotted with gaping gutters and drainages or occupied by street traders?
Do blind persons feel confident and safe in using their white canes without losing their self-esteem?
Recalling the brief History of the use the white.In the United States, the introduction of the white cane is attributed to George A. Bonham of the Lions Clubs International. In 1930, a Lions Club member watched as a man who was blind attempt to cross the street with a black cane which was barely visible to motorists. The Lions decided to paint the cane white to make it more visible. In 1931, Lions Clubs International began a program promoting the use of white canes for people who are blind.
Our goal is to raise N10,000,000 through the Charity Walk. This will go a long way in supporting our efforts and work towards breaking down barriers affecting the visually impaired
All donations and support should be in favour of: Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind 0005348520 Union Bank.
