The Nigeria Association of the Blind celebrates the annual International White Cane and Safety day, an event which holds every October 15th to sensitise the society about the importance of White Cane and its use.
Celebrating the day with the theme, “the white cane my symbol of independence” the NAB Lagos State chapter held a peace walk in Badagry.
The peace walk which was led by the State Chairman, Tunde Mohammed and other stakeholders alongside the visually impaired persons present visited Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1; the Akran of Badagry Kingdom and a Zenith Bank branch at Badagry; one of the sponsors of the event.
Tunde Mohammed while speaking said it is imperative for members of the public to understand that white cane is the ‘eyes’ of visually impaired persons because that is what they use in navigating their destinations and enhancing mobility.
He urged members of the society not to damage the White cane when in contact with it and also pleaded with the government to fix road infrastructures and make it accessible for the blind.
“The white Cane is our own eyes, we’re creating awareness of this vital tool, people should please not destroy it whenever they see it on the road but should offer basic assistance to its users. Also, Government should please repair the bad roads, it is a big challenge on our part because we encounter difficulties before getting to our destinations”, he said.
He appreciated Zenith Bank that sponsored the distribution of 130 white canes to members and the grant of 20,000 naira to 30 persons each in other to start small scale businesses.
Speaking with Aransola Josephine, one of the beneficiaries of the 20,000 naira fund, she said “this will help me start a small scale business, since I finished my youth service in 2018 I haven’t been able to secure a job; I studied Mass Communication. I honestly preferred to work in an organisation but the situation of the country which doesn’t support formal employment for persons with disabilities wouldn’t allow me.
Zenith Bank, John Holt, AIICO Insurance and Lagos State Office for Disabilities Affairs, LASODA sponsored the event.