Group seeks support to empower blind persons through skills

The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) seeks support for visually impaired individuals as they prepare for an Independence Ball and fundraising event. Scheduled for October 9 at the Shell Zenith Hall in Lagos, the event aims to raise funds for rehabilitating and training visually impaired adolescents and adults. Funds will cover tuition, accommodation, meals, and training materials, as well as vocational courses in areas such as computer literacy, Braille reading, mobility skills, crafts, and music.

The society's Chairman, Arit Tunde-Imoyo, emphasized the organization's commitment to empowering visually impaired individuals for over seven decades. Established in 1955, FNSB has already aided hundreds of visually impaired individuals in achieving independence through rehabilitation, education, and skills acquisition. Over the years, the center has expanded its vocational programs and social reintegration initiatives to meet the evolving needs of visually impaired persons and promote inclusivity in education and employment.

The rising cost of providing rehabilitation services has placed financial pressure on the organization, with it costing more than N1.5 million annually per trainee for residential, educational, mobility, and vocational training. The Independence Ball provides an opportunity to showcase the talents and achievements of visually impaired persons to influential individuals, including corporate leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists, while challenging societal misconceptions about visual disabilities.

The FNSB seeks partnerships from individuals, corporations, government agencies, and philanthropists to support the event and its mission.