Nigeria’s government and citizens have been passionately called upon to extend their unwavering support to those who navigate life with visual impairments.
In an earnest plea, they are fervently implored to prioritize the concerns of these set of citizens grappling with loss of sight, noting that this is paramount to address their challenges with the utmost seriousness due to the unique nature of their disabilities.
Making the appeal to journalists on the occasion of the 2023 White Cane Day (WCD) in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Divine Chris Ken Creativity and Founder, Hope Builders for Physically Challenged Foundation, Dr. (Mrs) Christiana Kehinde Akinrinmade, said “The White Cane Day celebration is a poignant reminder to all stakeholders that we, visually impaired, seek empathy rather than pity. We don’t wish to be objects of sympathy but recipients of love.”
The woman, who also used the occasion to celebrate Nigeria’s recent 63rd Independence Day added that “The significance of the WCD lies in the call for sighted individuals to offer assistance when they encounter those of us using white canes to navigate our paths. There, celebrating the day is essentially, a global call to support the blind community.”
Also contributing, the National President of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, Abdulkareem Lawal, echoing the essence of the WCD, said “This occasion serves as a place in our hearts and to raise awareness regarding the daily challenges confronted by those with visual impairments, emphasizing the symbolizing of the WCD as a beacon of independence and mobility.
“WCD transcends a mere celebration, it serves as a stark reminder of the hurdles and barriers that individuals with loss of sights confront on a daily basis, that beckons unity and collective support, not only within our own community but from the society at large.”
Tracing the significance of the White Cane, Lawal said it stands as an emblem of freedom, granting individuals with sight issues the ability to navigate the world with self-assuredness and dignity as it empowers them to surmount obstacles and lead lives brimming with a sense of independence.”
He then advocated for the need to collectively acknowledge the immense importance of the white cane in enhancing the lives of the visually impaired in Nigeria as he also noted: “We must rally together, summoning the government, non-governmental organizations and every member of our society as a shared responsibility to ensure that the visually impaired enjoy equal access to education, employment, healthcare and all the opportunities available to others.”
The group, in closing, then appealed to all stakeholders to rally behind those living with visual impairments as Akinrinmade said: “We must unite in our mission to alleviate the struggles of the blind and improve their well-being. Let us work tirelessly to create a world where they can unleash their full potential and live without the limitations imposed by their visual impairments,” stressing it’s a call to action resonating with the spirit of unity, compassions, and progress.
