Grace Egbobi, a former employee of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, lost her sight in 2008, two years after she was disengaged from service. The 58-year-old mother from the Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, who is a member of the Lagos State Judo Association, tells ALEXANDER OKERE how being blind challenged her to do better in life
When did you lose your sight?
It was in 2008 that I lost my sight.
How did that happen?
I was told that I had glaucoma. I could not see well at night. So, I went to a hospital. I was given some medication, including eye drops. People advised me to visit one hospital or the other and I thought I would regain my sight. But in the middle of 2007, I started losing my sight gradually. In January, 2008, I lost my sight completely; I could not see anything. I was 46 years old at that time.
How did it affect you?
I used to be a kerosene dealer before I lost my sight. And when I became blind, I gave the business to someone to run for me but the person mismanaged the business until it crumbled. I later opened a store and sold drinks. But some girls I employed mismanaged the shop and I had to shut it down. After spending some time doing nothing at home, I decided to try sports for the blind. That was in 2018. In the same year, I went to a rehabilitation school to learn how to use Braille.
What do you do for a living now?
I used to be a civil servant. I used to work with the (defunct) Nigerian Telecommunications Limited. But now, I am a judoka. I am also an athlete under the Lagos State Government. I do the short-put. I create crafts and produce body cream and hair cream.
Are you married?
I am married with children. I am from Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
When did you retire from NITEL?
I was disengaged from service in 2006. All NITEL employees were disengaged.
Have you taken part in any competition as a judoka?
In July, 2019, I participated in a competition and I won. Another competition was supposed to be held in 2020 but it didn’t due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I started training in judo as a special athlete. Tunji Disu (former Rapid Response Squad commander) was our chairman (Lagos State Judo Association).
Judo is a combat sport. How do you take part in it when you can’t see?
The one I take part in is for the blind and there are categories. When two blind judokas participate in a match, they hold each other. They both feel each other’s legs to understand how their posture is. The coach later gives a signal to begin the match.
Are you not concerned that serious injuries could be sustained since you cannot see who you are dealing with?
No. We fight on a mat. So, when your opponent falls, they fall on the mat which feels like a bed.
How did your husband and children receive the news when they were told you had gone blind?
In fact, they tried all they could with the hope that I would regain my sight. My children were not happy. My husband also was not happy. He cried. He wept like a child when I lost my sight. We spent a lot (of money) for me to regain my sight.
Can you remember how much was spent to find a solution?
I spent everything I received from NITEL. More than N3m was spent to find a remedy.
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I attended Yaba College of Technology. I studied Building Technology. I earned a Higher National Diploma there and started working at NITEL. I was called an iron lady when I was at NITEL. It was because of the nature of my job as of that time. I used to climb scaffolds to do the installation of overhead tanks. I also installed underground tanks. I still have my tools at home and do minor plumbing work.
You lost your sight as an adult. How did you adjust?
Someone introduced me to the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs in Alausa, Ikeja. I went to collect a form and I was advised to join an organisation. Each cluster of persons with disabilities has their association. For the blind, there is the Nigerian Association for the Blind and I was introduced to the organisation. When I joined, I was advised to go to a school to learn Braille so that I would be rehabilitated and learnt how to read and write through Braille. I went to a rehabilitation centre at Alagomeji, Lagos, and I spent over a year there.
What kind of support have you received from individuals?
People have helped me. As a sighted person, they would want to struggle to earn a living. But with this condition, they know there is a challenge and they assist. But that does not mean one has to turn oneself into a beggar. One has to also work so that success can come.
Do you think your condition has taught you anything?
In fact, my condition taught me not to lose hope when I face challenges. God wants me to go to the next level. God has a reason for putting me in this condition. There is nothing that happens to a man without God knowing. So, one has to ask God to help one know the way to follow. As a blind person, I don’t curse people. I watch what I say.
Has anyone ever said or done anything against you because you are blind?
The person I handed my kerosene business to betrayed me because I cannot see.
How did that happen?
I gave them some money to buy kerosene at a depot and they ran away with my money.
How much was the money?
N500,000. But thank God I reported the matter to the police. After four years, the police retrieved the money from the person. But I had stopped selling kerosene as of that time. However, I am happier now because I have achieved a lot more than when I was sighted. Now, I am a judoka. I am also the Woman Leader, Association for the Blind in Lagos State. I am also a member of the United Action for Change, a non-governmental organisation that fights for the rights of people (being cheated), and Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), is our convener. I am also a member of the All Progressives Congress.
Why did you join politics?
I joined politics in 2016, after losing my sight. My co-tenant is a leader in the party and hosts meetings where I reside. So, I joined them.
What do you hope to gain from politics?
In Nigeria now, if you don’t join politics and you seek something, you may not get it. Without being a politician, people may not listen to you. They will ask you the party you belong to. I am also using politics to assist other people with disabilities. I want my people to grow. When blind persons who are teachers apply for jobs, some people doubt their abilities. But through politics, we got employment for four blind persons. One of them had been seeking employment since 2015. During the lockdown, some of blind friends received palliatives in their houses.
Many Nigerians, young and old, still go blind and find it difficult to adjust to the condition. How best can this be done?
Many blind people create works of art and the ones who want to get advanced education go ahead to get it. We have many blind lawyers. So, anyone who goes blind is free to choose between getting vocational skills or higher education. Once they can do any of these, they will cope. God is great. He uses our loss of sight to give us more knowledge than those who are able have.
