The National Association of the Blind (NAB) has appealed for increased access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training and stronger government support for visually impaired persons across Nigeria.
The National President of the association, Mr. Stanley Onyebuchi, made the call in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2025 International White Cane Safety Day with the theme “Vision Beyond Sight.”
Onyebuchi commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for promoting inclusive governance through its ARISE Agenda, while urging both federal and state authorities to go beyond policies and invest in skills development and digital empowerment for blind and visually impaired persons.
“I want to express our gratitude to the Akwa Ibom State Government for the inclusion of people with disabilities in governance. We also demand adequate training and ICT support for our members,” he said.
The event was organised by the Akwa Ibom State chapter of NAB in collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
In her address, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, described White Cane Day as a celebration of the resilience, courage and achievements of blind and visually impaired persons.
“Sight is a gift, but vision is a choice,” she said, while commending Governor Pastor Umo Eno for what she described as his inclusive leadership and commitment to persons with disabilities. According to her, his administration reflects “the heart of a shepherd — one that sees ability, not disability, and recognises every Akwa Ibomite as a stakeholder in the ARISE Agenda.”
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Total Inclusion Limited, Mr. David Okon, described the white cane as more than a mobility tool, calling it “a symbol of independence, dignity and self-reliance.”
However, he emphasised that proper training is essential for its effective use.
“It is good to have a white cane, but without proper training and usage, it is useless. Each local government should employ mobility and orientation officers who will assist blind persons in navigating their environment,” he said.
Okon, who is also visually impaired and a senior director at First Bank, further appealed to the public to stop removing manhole covers and called on relevant authorities to cover open drainages, warning that such hazards pose serious risks to blind persons.
In his welcome address, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of NAB, Mr. Nsikak Udoh, said the 2025 commemoration signified a renewed commitment to accessibility, inclusion and empowerment through collective action.
Although the white cane provides mobility, he stressed that society must dismantle both physical and attitudinal barriers.
“Nigeria must move from policy to practice and from intentions to impact,” he said.
One of the resource persons, Mr. Ubong Udo, who joined the event virtually from Australia, highlighted the need for accessible education and learning tools for blind persons.
According to him, discrimination often stems from society’s failure to respect the voices and abilities of visually impaired persons.
“Our problem is not that we are blind, but the inability of the sighted to recognise our opinions and think we need them to decide for us. Is the government giving us the education we deserve? What is the ideology behind employing a blind person without providing the tools to work?” he asked.
He added that Akwa Ibom must strive for a society where education and employment are accessible to all, without discrimination or protests.
“We want an Akwa Ibom where employment and education are accessible to all — without discrimination,” he stated.
Join Inclusive News Network WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.