Stakeholders task government on free education, welfare for visually impaired persons

An appeal has been made to the Federal Government to provide free education and job opportunities for visually impaired people in Nigeria. Chief Executive Officer, MOJEC Nigeria Limited, Mrs Mojisola Abdul, made the appeal at the 2022 graduation ceremony of the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) held in Oshodi, Lagos.

Abdul stated that the visually impaired were passing through enormous challenges and, given the economic downturn, needed more financial and moral support to contribute their quota to national development.

The 28 graduating students had undergone two-year residential training in ICT and assistive technology, personal development, entrepreneurship studies, Braille reading orientation and mobility, bead making and vocational skills, among others.

Abdul gave cash donations to the graduands to boost their vocational skills and also provided scholarship slots for new visually impaired students for the new academic session.

Council Chairman, FNSB, Mr Fusi Akinkugbe, said in line with the mission to become a world-class model for breaking down barriers affecting the visually impaired, the society would continue to provide the best for students to be relevant.

Executive Secretary, FNSB, Mr Mayowa Oke, called on stakeholders to provide employment opportunities in both the private and public sectors for the visually-impaired in the society. He added that at the vocational training centre of the blind, they strive to provide the best teaching and learning experience for the students.

The best graduating student, Mr Tunde Alabi, said training at the centre for the blind has equipped them with adequate knowledge and skills to accomplish goals in life.

“We are now masters in sandal, bag and soap making as well as tie and dye. Our competence in the use of computer, typewriter, Braille reading and writing is adjusted to be excellent. We can navigate around on our own and independently carry out certain domestic work.

At the event, certificates and gifts were given to the five best graduating students in the various departments and other students. The school choirs also thrilled the guests with good music.