Lokoja, Kogi State (Nigeria): In a powerful call for equity and visibility, the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPwDs) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusivity for Nigeria’s visually impaired community.
Speaking at the International White Cane Safety Day 2025 in Lokoja, Yahaya called for a world where visually impaired persons are seen, heard, and valued every day.
He explained that White Cane Day, celebrated globally every Oct. 15, honours the rights, abilities, and contributions of visually impaired people worldwide.
“The white cane is a universal symbol of independence, safety, and resilience, enabling visually impaired individuals to navigate their environments autonomously,” Yahaya said.
He added that White Cane Safety Laws grant right-of-way to cane users, underscoring the need for public education and respect for its legal significance.
Despite technological progress, Yahaya said the visually impaired still face obstacles in education, employment, transportation, and access to public spaces.
He noted that stories of innovation and determination continue to prove the community’s strength and push for equality and inclusion.
Yahaya urged action beyond recognition, stressing the need for policies that ensure inclusivity in all aspects of public life.
He recommended respecting White Cane Laws, improving accessibility in infrastructure and digital spaces, promoting awareness, and challenging harmful stereotypes.
“White Cane Day 2025 is a call to action for a society that values and empowers the visually impaired,” he stated.
Executive Secretary of the Kogi Office for Disability Affairs (KOSODA), Malam Nazir Yakubu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting persons with disabilities.
Yakubu said the white cane represents independence, confidence, and empowerment for blind people, not just a tool for mobility.
He restated Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s resolve to ensure a safe and enabling environment for all visually impaired residents.
Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Kogi chapter, Zainab Sule, said the white cane symbolises the right-of-way for visually impaired individuals.
Sule appealed for more support from all levels of government and organisations to promote accessibility and inclusivity for true equality.
Programme Officer of Sightsavers, Phoebe Hindan, said the event aimed to raise awareness about inclusion and accessibility for the visually impaired.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of five white canes to visually impaired persons and a symbolic road walk led by the association.
