By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The Nigeria Association of the Blind, Edo State chapter, called on Nigerians to regularly go for eye check up at least once in a year to avoid blindness.
The Chairman, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Edo State chapter, Mr. Lucky Imafidon made the call during a sensitazition rally held in Benin City to mark the 2021 World Cane Day.
He said the White Cane Day is celebrated all over the world on October 15 every year, adding that the association decided
to come out to remind the government to pass the disability bill into law.
"The celebration started long time ago when a joint congress of the United States of America took a resolution which was passed into law known as White Cane Safety Day".
"The day is set aside to sensitize the general public about the right of the blind to use the roads, right to use the walkway, right to quality education and healthcare. The visually impaired needs to be catered for".
"We are also here to let the governor know that the disability bill should be sent to the State House of Assembly so that it can be passed into law in order not be discriminated against in the society".
"If it is passed into law, there will be a commission that will take care of our needs, preach against discrimination and that commission will be headed by persons who are physically challenged".
He appreciated governor Obaseki for what he is doing for the community of the blind and the handicapped, noting that the present administration has done well for people living with visual disabilities.
"We appreciate his benevolence. It is in this administration that students of institutions of higher learning were given bursary awards. It is also in his administration that the blinds were given employments".
He also said that they want the governor to do more, especially in the area of employment as many of them who have qualifications do not have jobs.
" When an educated visually impaired person has no job, it makes him or her not to be useful to the society. We need employment for our members".
"We need bursary for those in higher institutions of learning. It is expensive to educate a blind child, therefore we need the support of the government and cooperate organizations to give scholarships to people living with visual disabilities in higher institutions".
The association also demanded for a rehabilitation center where those who cannot afford formal education can be trained informally, adding that their members go to other states for training. They said they want their own to be established in Edo State.
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