by Chris Agbo
The Nigeria Association of the Blind FCT Chapter on Tuesday organized a rally to mark World White Cane Day.
The members of the association and other members of disability community marched from L.E.A Primary School Jabi to Laps New World Hotel Jabi, Abuja, the venue of the celebration. In their rally, they were sensitizing the public on what the white cane means to the blind and why it is important for motorists to take cognizant of the white cane and ensures that they give any person with a white cane the right of the way on our roads.
The event which ought to have been taken place on 15th October 2020, the actual date to mark International White Cane Day was sponsored by Disability Rights Fund(DRF) and it was also supported by Sightsavers.
The Chairman, Nigeria Association of the Blind FCT Chapter, Mr. Obinna Ekujereonye in his opening speech said that the event could not take place on the 15th October because of some circumstances beyond the control of their executive but by God’s grace, the event is taking place. He said that the event is important to the blind people because it is a day whereby awareness is being created about the white cane and what it means to persons with blindness.
He said that the white cane signifies independence to the blind people and fortunately the theme of this year’s celebration is promoting independence and productivity. He said that the white cane is what a blind people use to navigate his or her way and when they can successfully navigate their way, they must have had some level of independence and with that they can be productive.
He urged government and even the public to enhance the inclusion of the blind people by ensuring the partways are properly closed, cars not allowed to be parked on the partways, ensures that there are no obstacles, white cane should always be respected on Nigerian roads.
He also called for full and immediate implementation of the Nigeria Disability Act to address the numerous challenges of not only the blind people but persons with disabilities in general.
Theophilus Odaudu, Program Officer, DRF Nigeria in his presentation of what white cane is all about and the history said that the cane is white for easy identification, saying that if the cane is black or any other colour, it can not be seen easily by a motorist, and again, the white cane is a symbol of identity for a blind person.
Speaking further, he said that in countries like America, there is a legislation on white cane and there is a penalty for anybody who fails to take cognizant of the white cane on the road. The white cane must be white with red down and its length is from the chest of the user and the user is expected to use it to identify all obstacles ahead. He also said that technology have improved the effectiveness of the white cane before there are some white cane which can dictate an obstacles from afar with some other function that makes it more convenient and user friendly.
He expressed joy that on October 15th, during the celebration of world white cane day with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Haijah Umar Farouq, she promised that she would made available white cane with recent technology for blind people in Nigeria. He charged NAB FCT to follow up on that to ensure that the Minister keep her promise.
The event also witnessed drama showcasing the discrimination the blind face in our society whereby people think that a blind person should not be independent. It should be the responsibility of the person’s family to take care of the person. Again, the person have no business coming out alone, so if there is no one to assist the person to navigate, the person should stay indoors.
The event also witnessed giving of words of advice and encouragement to other younger persons with blindness from the older and well experienced ones.
