The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) has raised concerns over the limited access of thousands of blind Nigerians to rehabilitation, education, assistive technology and employment opportunities, calling for stronger efforts to promote their independence and inclusion.
The Chairman of the society’s Executive Council, Mrs Arit Tunde-Imoyo, made the call during the FNSB’s 71st anniversary and Independence Dinner held on Friday at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Tunde-Imoyo said blindness should not condemn anyone to a life of dependence, exclusion or hopelessness, stressing that persons with visual impairment could live productive and independent lives when provided with the necessary training, support and opportunities.
She explained that the society was established in 1955, five years before Nigeria gained independence, by a group of Nigerians and expatriates who believed that blind persons could be empowered to contribute meaningfully to society.
According to her, the organisation’s founding vision was to ensure that blindness did not prevent individuals from acquiring skills, pursuing their ambitions and achieving independence.
She noted that independence for blind persons went beyond national sovereignty to include the freedom to move around, read, acquire vocational skills, earn a living, make personal choices and participate fully in society.
The FNSB chairman said the society had continued to advance this vision through its Vocational Training Centre, rehabilitation programmes, advocacy initiatives and partnerships, which had helped beneficiaries develop relevant skills, build confidence and become more self-reliant.
However, she acknowledged that significant challenges remained, with thousands of blind Nigerians still requiring access to rehabilitation services, education, assistive technology and decent employment.
“There are still barriers to break and possibilities yet to be explored,” she said, urging stakeholders to support the society in reaching more people and expanding opportunities for persons with visual impairment.
Tunde-Imoyo called on individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to contribute to the next phase of the society’s development, emphasising the need to ensure that every blind person had the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose and independence.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the FNSB, Mr Oluwamayowa Oke, said genuine independence for blind persons should extend beyond vocational training to include access to employment, income-generating opportunities and full participation in society.
Oke explained that the society’s Vocational Training Centre was focused on equipping beneficiaries with the practical skills, confidence and support required to live independently and contribute to their communities.
He urged government institutions, employers and private-sector organisations to strengthen collaboration with the society to create more employment opportunities and promote the inclusion of visually impaired persons in the workforce and other areas of public life.
The anniversary celebration marked 71 years of the FNSB’s efforts to promote rehabilitation, vocational training and independent living for blind Nigerians.
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