The Organization on a road walk to the Nigerian Union of Journalists,Edo State Council in celebration of the National White Cane Day urged the Edo state government to assent to the Disability Bill that has been passed by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking, the Chairman of the association, Evangelist Lucky Imafidon said, they are grateful to the Edo state governor,Mr Godwin Obaseki for his magnanimity to the people living with disabilities, especially those living with visual impairment,but want him to do more .
“We want to use this opportunity to thank the Edo State Governor,Mr Godwin Obaseki. We want to tell him to do more for us especially in the area of education,we need bursary for people living with visual impairment”.
He added “the relevant authorities should provide free education for us from primary to university level and also the Disability Bill should be assented toso that it can become a law that will protect our interest
and welfare. We want a Disabilities Commission to be created that will take care of our needs”.
Also Speaking, a visual impaired person,David Iwuala said the association is pleading with government to create an environment that can help them live the life with minimal assistance.
He said the White Cane is significant because it shows that the person holding the White Cane has visual impairment and pleaded with Nigerians to always assist those with visual impairment.
“We want drivers and other road users to always assist people with visual impairment any where on the road. In Edo State it has become increasingly dangerous to move around and that is why we came up with “Safety in an Unsafe Environment”. It is a call to action,those saddled with the responsibility of making laws or creating policies should do so with the aim of assisting people with visual impairment.”
The National White Cane Day is celebrated every 15 of October.
