Osun Visually Impaired Association Demands Jobs, Support From Govt.

 

Yusuf Oketola

THE Nigeria Association of the Blind in the State of Osun has appealed to the State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to consider them on the ongoing recruitment processes in the State.

Members of the association made this known in a request letter while marking the 2022 International White Cane Day, on Wednesday, in Osogbo.

While tasking the state government on the need to ensure domestication of Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act in Nigeria, the visually-impaired citizens also urged the Governor to grant them scholarships.

They maintained that they could not be relegated to begging for alms.

Chairman of the association in the State, Mr. Akinola Adekunle, while speaking during a lecture on the theme: “The Visually Impaired and the Safety Cane,” commended the state government for the support they have received.

Adekunle also urged the government to accelerate efforts on the domestication of the disability act.

He said: “We thank Governor Oyetola for what he has been doing, but we need more support. The National Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act has provided solutions to our challenges and that’s why we are calling on our governor to write his name in gold in the few days he has in office by ensuring that this bill is passed into law in Osun.

“We also want Nigerians to support the blind by offering them assistance in the public places. We want them to know that we are part of the society and we have a lot to offer. There is ability in our disability and we want the government to provide job opportunities for blind people that are qualified.”

Adekunle maintained that there are a lot of educated people among them.

“We have lawyers, journalists and other professionals among us and all they need is encouragement and support. In Osun, we don’t have blind schools, we need one,” Adekunle added.