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By Sola Rotimi
Kwara State Chapter of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, NAB Kwara has called on government authorities and members of the public to move past token sympathy and guarantee structured inclusion and employment opportunities for persons living with visual impairments.
The call was made in Ilorin during the commemoration of International White Cane Awareness Day 2026.
The Kwara State Chairman of the association, Mr. Abdulakeem Lawal, described the white cane as a vital instrument of independence, confidence, and resilience that enables visually impaired individuals to navigate their environments autonomously.
Addressing public safety, Lawal urged motorists and commercial transporters to exercise patience when encountering white cane users, noting that using a mobility aid indicates a need for basic courtesy, such as assistance when crossing busy roads, rather than personal weakness.
While acknowledging gradual improvements in public awareness, Lawal stressed that critical gaps remain, particularly regarding inclusive education and equal access to the labor market.
He criticised the cycle where visually impaired individuals acquire formal qualifications only to face persistent unemployment.
“It is unacceptable for visually impaired individuals to overcome hurdles to acquire education and professional skills, only to return home to prolonged unemployment. Society must embrace proper inclusion across all aspects of life to enable special persons to demonstrate their inherent abilities.” Lawal said.
Sharing these concerns, broadcaster and NAB Kwara member Mr. Abioye Opadokun mentioned systemic barriers, including instances where landlords refuse tenancy to visually impaired individuals and public institutions fail to provide accessible infrastructure.
“The white cane is neither a symbol of regression nor a barrier, but an instrument of freedom,” Opadokun stated, appealing to landlords, corporate institutions, and government bodies to dismantle discriminatory practices and implement accessible standards.
As part of the observances, visually impaired students and advocates embarked on an awareness procession from the General Hospital, Taiwo, Ilorin, through the Post Office area, to the Kwara State Library Complex, which houses the association’s state secretariat.
Barakat Akintunde, a student of Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin, noted during the rally that environmental hazards and unmaintained walkways remain physical risks for cane users.
The Director of Rehabilitation in the Kwara State Ministry of Social Welfare, Mr. Taiye Ikupolati, stated that the state government routinely distributes supportive devices, including white canes, wheelchairs, crutches, and walking sticks, free of charge to beneficiaries across Kwara.
Ikupolati assured that the ministry would continue prioritising inclusive policies and welfare programs to improve mobility and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.
International White Cane and Safety Day is observed globally on October 15 to emphasize the independence, mobility, and civic rights of blind and visually impaired individuals.
