… Onitsha North Mayor, Nwora, promised to carry members along.
The Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, ANSAA, in partnership with other groups, over the weekend distributed world-class white canes with chips to one hundred visually impaired persons to assist them in moving around with little or no help.
The second edition of the “White Cane Campaign” and empowerment held at All Saints Cathedral Onitsha, according to ANSAA, is part of activities marking global observance of International White Cane Day, which is celebrated on 15th October annually.
The event with the theme, “One blind, one cane: a journey of resilience”, attracted the presence of members of the Anambra State Chapter of the National Association of the Blind, NAB, as well as Out-of-Home Advertising Practitioners across Anambra State,
Addressing the gathering, the Managing Director of ANSAA, Mr Odili Ujuboñu, represented by the General Manager of the agency, Mr Chijioke Agbanyim, explained that the second edition of the campaign was in fulfilment of promise made when the leadership of NAB, last year, requested for out-of-home advert spaces for white cane sensitization.
Stating that the day marked another chapter in ANSAA’s relationship with NAB, the ANSAA boss urged members of the group to continue to add values to the society, noting that the partnership with other groups such as OAAN, TAVA and Oluebube Charity Foundation in the humanitarian efforts guarantees sustainability.
In their separate remarks, the National Chairman of NAB and former Chairman of the Joint National Association of People Living With Disabilities, JONAPWD, in the state, Mr Lawrence Nwanolue, Anambra State Chairman of NAB, Comrade Ernest Okanmelu, and Chairman of White Cain Committee, Mr Chizoba Orji, commended ANSAA and partners for the humanitarian efforts in promoting the use of white cane as a vital tool for mobility and independence of members.
Speaking after leading the unveiling and sharing of the white canes to the beneficiaries, the Mayor of Onitsha North Local Goverment, Honourable Tony Nworah, who commended the initiative, said just Governor Chukwuma Soludo and wife, Nonye, are doing in the state, his government will continue to give persons with disabilities a sense of belonging in its affairs.
He regretted that the society, particularly Nigeria, is negligence of and cruel to people with even minor disabilities, and commended ANSAA for touching lives in positive ways, just as he encouraged the visually impaired persons to always see themselves as products and instruments of God.
The event featured roadshow sensitization on the use of white canes, as well as award presentation to deserving individuals, while Barrister Somadina Chukwueloka, also a visually impaired, spoke on the role of the public to white cane users.