From Ademola Orunbon, Abeokuta
Ogun State government has celebrated the White Cane Day, with a charge on the people to support persons with visual impairments and persons with disabilities in general.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape, gave this charge at the year 2020 White Cane Safety Day Celebration with the theme “Hope in Sight’ held at Women Development Center, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Efuwape, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi said the aim of observing White Cane Safety Day is to raise awareness on the importance of White Cane, as well as to appreciate stakeholders’ support on issues surrounding White cane, the visually impaired in particular and persons with disabilities in general.
She said White Cane serves as a mobility tool, symbol for the blind and visually impaired, adding that it is now an internationally recognised symbol that elicits help whenever and wherever its users find it difficult to move freely.
The Chairman, Nigeria Association of Blinds (NAB), Ogun State chapter, Dr. Michael Eborhon, commended the State government for having the visually impaired in mind, adding that they would appreciate it more if the State House of Assembly could pass a bill that concerns their welfare into law.
While speaking on the theme of the day, Dr. Sogade Adeboye said, causes of blindness ranges from lack of treatment of visual illness on time to diabetes and hereditary cases, advising that doctors should be contacted quickly whenever any illness is noticed.
The Ministry thereafter gave out nine white canes, one grinding machine and food items to the visually impaired to cushion the economic effect of their situation.
One of the visually impaired, Mr.Yusuf Sonde, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, appreciated the State government for reaching out to them with the gift items.
