by Agbo Chris
In our chat with the Chairman, Nigeria Association of the Blind, FCT Chapter, Obinna Ekujereonye on the just concluded International White Cane Day, he described the white cane as a symbol of power to the blind persons, an indicator for others to give the blind persons the right of the way, and the blind also use it to navigate their way and the international white cane day is a day the visually impaired persons both partially sighted and blind showcase the use of the white cane. The theme of 2019 edition is my safety, my productivity. The white is a stick a blind man uses in identifying obstacle while working alone. The white cane came into being in North America in 1921, when a blind man James Biggs of Bristol invented the white cane made with stick, it has been modernized to have other features, for example, it is no longer made by stick and it is made with objects that made it stronger and flexible, some are electronic that can vibrate to indicate that obstacle is ahead, it has been enhanced to be more friendly to the blind persons.
He frowned at the way the roads are in Nigeria which has made life difficult for the blind to use the roads and it is also applicable to the other persons with disabilities especially persons with physical disabilities. This accessibility problem prompted NAB FCT to work on the issue of access of public infrastructures in FCT. There is a lot accessibility problem in Nigeria, the architectural designs of most of our buildings normally come with a lot of stairs which has hindered the movement of persons with physical disabilities. NAB FCT is taking accessibility audit to get the government to address the challenge faced by persons with disabilities.
He appreciated President Buhari for signing the Disability Rights Bill into law and in the new law, section 7 talked about accessibility. There is no need to wait till 5 years grace as it stipulated in the act elapse before pressuring government to at least make all government owned buildings in the FCT.
He called on the Nigerian engineers to review the building codes as soon as possible to insert into the codes disability friendly facilities.
He projected that by the end of the one-year duration of the NAB FCT accessibility audit, public buildings in FCT will be a model other states to copy.
The National Federation of the Blind celebrates White Cane Awareness Day every year on October 15.
For blind people, the white cane is an essential tool that gives us the ability to achieve a full and independent life. It allows us to move freely and safely from place to place—whether it’s at work, at school, or around our neighborhoods.
