The commissioner of Social Justice and Re-integration Dr. Mrs. Filister Irarimam Musa celebrates the 2023 World White Cane Safety Day with the visually impaired at Sheild Hotel, Taraba State.
The commissioner in her speech to commemorate the day said the event was designated by the United Nations to be celebrated on the 15th of October but shifted to the 17th at the request of the National Association of the Blinds.
Dr. Mrs. Filister who expressed gratitude to God and His Excellency the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, for the gesture in demonstrating practical commitment and fairness to the visually impaired persons in Taraba State to join the world in celebrating the White Cane Day.
“This is the first time this event has been held in Taraba State since inception, and it’s indeed a practical demonstration of His Excellency’s Fairness, Social Inclusion, and Empowerment of all vulnerable groups. On behalf of the ministry and the Blind Community of the state, I sincerely appreciate His Excellency for the kind gesture, and I hope that God almighty will strengthen him to do more.
Similarly, the Commissioner used the event to call on all well-meaning Tarabans, NGOs, Philanthropists, and Captains of Industries to come to the aid of the visually impaired persons in the state to help unleash their potential for participation in socio-economic activities.
On his part, the Chairman of the Visually Impaired Persons Comrade Wanderimam Tenyang said the purpose of the white Cane Day Safety Celebration is to sensitise the public on the use of the white Cane as a device for the safe mobility of blind persons.
He said, ” The day is to mark the strength of the blinds, the achievement and the motivation of the strength behind the white Cane. The white Cane is also called the guide Cane because of its primary function as a mobility device for Blind persons.
Comrade Wanderimam reiterated the plead of the Honourable commissioner in beckoning all well-meaning Tarabans, NGOs, Philanthropists, and captains of Industries to provide the needed support to the visually impaired persons.
The chairman equally thanked the Governor of Taraba State for organising a first-of-its-kind White Cane Safety Day celebration for the visually impaired since the creation of the state. Similarly, he called on the governor to provide scholarships as well as employment to the visually impaired persons in the state.
The Chairman of the Rotary Club, Dr Clement Yakubu Giwa, said on their part they are already partners in progress with the visually impaired persons, as plans are on the way to renovate the blind centres and their toileting facilities.
Governor Dr.Agbu Kefas was ably represented by Deputy Governor Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, who said the strength of the blinds does not lie in their disability but in their abilities.
“We must invest in educational facilities to enable the visually impaired access to their educational needs,” he added.
The governor, said comprehensive data on the persons living with disabilities in the state, should be collated by the Ministry and submitted to the office of the Secretary to the State for ease of assistance.
The Executive Director of Edwiin Foundation Mrs. Uri NgoziChukwuka Partner pleaded with the state to domesticate the state law of persons living with Disabilities
Highlights of the event include drama, song ministration, cultural dance by the Taraba State Art and Culture troupe, and the presentation of white Canes to beneficiaries from each zone of the state. The exhibitions of craft works by the blinds were unveiled by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Aminu Alkali accompanied by the Secretary of the Government of the State Chief Barr. GT Kataf and presentation of an award to the governor received by his deputy.
In attendance were top government functionaries and permanent secretaries of various ministries as well as directors and other guests both from within and outside the state.