The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) has called for broader legislation to integrate blind and partially impaired persons into society.

The FNSB gave the charge yesterday in the Oshodi office, Lagos, during its 67th yearly general meeting.

It also called on the government and private sectors to implement the approved Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, which requires all public organisations to reserve at least five per cent of employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The Act also prohibits all forms of discrimination on the grounds of disability and imposes a fine of N1 million for corporate bodies and N100,000 for individuals or a term of six months imprisonment for violation, but civil societies have lamented that many organisations have failed to implement the laws.

During the meeting, members of the governing body agreed that the name should be changed from the First Nigeria Society for the Blind to The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB).

They, however, lamented that their call for help had been turned down by individuals and organisations that thought the society was being funded by the Federal Government due to the prefix ‘Federal’.

The Guest Speaker, Olalekan Biobaku, who spoke on the topic, “Empowering Through Vision: The Role of Innovation and Partnerships in Advancing the Work of Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind,” said that in today’s fast-paced interconnected world, empowering through vision demands more than just clear goals and requires innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnerships.

He added that by leveraging these elements, FNSB could significantly improve the lives of visually impaired individuals, unlock their potential, and create a better, more inclusive future.

He said that through innovation and partnerships, accessibility, enhanced capacity building, and open up employment opportunities, among other benefits, would increase.

Biobaku, however, said that the role of innovation in evolution could not be overemphasised.

Meanwhile, presenting the financial report for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Honorary Treasurer, James Oluseyi Duggan, said that the performance in 2024 was slightly better than that of 2023 as the deficit reduced from N3,683,749 to N2,342,813, representing a 36 per cent improvement over the 2023 financial position.

Duggan said the improvement was largely due to improved income generation, which rose by 37.85 per cent from N55,985,654 to N78,674,666 in the year under review.

He said the improvement attributable to voluntary donations which rose by 90.54%, School Fees rose by 54.84% and sale of craft which rose from, N4,818,759 to N9,295,988, an increase of N4,477,229 or 92.9%.

In addition the birthday donation of N4,100,000 and student sponsorship of an increase of N2,400,000 also contributed to this improved result.

The total administrative expenses increased from N59,669,403 to N81,017,479, an increase of N21,348,076 representing an increase of 35.78%. The increase can be traced to that of Feeding and boarding by 49%, generator running expenses by 29%, Electricity, gas and water by 167%.

The society spent N6,323,568 as against N2,720,246 spent on electricity in 2023 on electricity bill, electricity repair which represented 133.32.

N1,562,038 was spent on internet, telephone and postages as against N1,072,100, a difference of N489,938 which represented 45.70 rise.

The centre spent N858,050 as against N3,393,350 representing 74.71 decrease.

In 2024, it spent N2,385,725 on staff pension scheme as against N2,742,969, representing 13.02 decrease.

Speaking on certification, Chairman, FNSB,Arit Tunde Imoyo on the “As a vocational training centre, we want to have some accreditation so that we can award certificates that will be recognised in work places. We started the process three years ago and we were given some conditions by the ministry of education which we are still working on. We have recruited more instructors.

On the new name, she said: “We are in the process of approaching the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and we are hoping to launch the new name during our 70th anniversary.