— Federal Government College Ijanikin wins Bible Society of Nigeria quiz for blind students
LAGOS — A passionate call has been made to the government to prioritize the creation of employment opportunities for persons living with disabilities (PWDs), especially those who are visually impaired. The appeal came from Mr. John Yekini, a board member of the Vocational School for the Blind, during the seventh edition of the You Can Be Their Eyes Bible Quiz Competition organized by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) in Lagos on Thursday.
Yekini, who chaired the occasion, emphasized that training and empowering persons with visual impairments without providing them with avenues for employment defeats the purpose of inclusion and self-reliance.
“I want the government to give us more recognition, especially in the area of jobs. There is no point in training the blind without giving them employment. We need to work and provide for our families,” he said with concern.
According to him, although the present administration has shown commendable commitment toward improving the welfare of persons with disabilities, there remains a need for more concrete action in employment creation, skill utilization, and inclusive policy implementation.
“The government, I must say, is doing better now than before. They are beginning to realize that blind people are part of Nigeria. They are trying, but they can do more with the Acts they have put in place,” Yekini stated. “Our late President Buhari gave us the People with Disability Act. So, we will get there one day.”
The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on January 23, 2019, remains a significant milestone in Nigeria’s disability rights movement. The law prohibits all forms of discrimination against PWDs and guarantees equal opportunities in education, employment, and public participation.
Federal Government College Ijanikin Shines at Bible Quiz
The highlight of the day was the You Can Be Their Eyes Bible Quiz competition, an initiative of the Bible Society of Nigeria designed to promote biblical knowledge and inclusion among students who are blind or visually impaired.
Federal Government College (Senior), Ijanikin, Lagos, emerged as the overall winner of the keenly contested quiz, amassing 80 points to outshine four other participating schools. Represented by Gideon Oghorodi and Precious Ehikhoya, the team displayed exceptional brilliance and composure throughout the contest.
An elated Ehikhoya, speaking after their victory, described the win as a source of motivation to pursue her dreams despite her visual impairment.
“Thank you, BSN, for giving us a platform to express our abilities despite our challenges. This victory means a lot to me and inspires me to keep pushing forward,” she said with excitement.
Bethesda School for the Blind, Surulere, Lagos, came second with 70 points, while King’s College (Junior), Obalende, scored 55 points to clinch third place. Pacelli Home for the Blind and Federal Government College (Junior), Ijanikin, followed with 50 and 45 points respectively.
BSN Advocates Support for the Less Privileged
Speaking on behalf of the General Secretary/CEO of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, the Society’s Church and Public Relations Manager, Mr. Lucky Ogwu, commended the participants for their courage and intellect. He called on individuals, corporate bodies, and faith-based organizations to support initiatives that promote inclusion and empowerment for persons with disabilities.
“God has deposited abilities in those who have disabilities, and it is our duty as a society to identify and nurture those gifts. They have so much to offer if given the right opportunities,” Ogwu said.
He noted that the competition aligns with BSN’s broader vision of promoting the Word of God and inclusivity by ensuring that people with disabilities are not left behind in spiritual, educational, or social growth.
World Sight Day Connection
Interestingly, this year’s competition coincided with World Sight Day 2025, commemorated globally on October 9, with the theme focusing on the importance of eye health and preventive care. The coincidence underscored the essence of the Bible quiz — a celebration of the abilities and resilience of those living without sight.
As Nigeria continues to push toward inclusive development, advocates like Mr. Yekini and organizations such as the Bible Society of Nigeria continue to remind the government and society that persons with disabilities, especially the blind, deserve not just compassion, but opportunities to work, contribute, and thrive.
Their message is clear: disability does not mean inability — what is needed is access, inclusion, and empowerment.
Follow the The Qualitative Magazine channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VanfIB50wajpjGi3JJ1G
