Credit: Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind.
The Chairman of the Council at the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) Mr. Fusi Akinkugbe, has expressed gratitude and issued a plea to corporate entities, governmental bodies, religious institutions, and compassionate individuals to contribute towards the expansion of the vocational training centre.
The aim is to enhance facilities and create a more conducive learning environment for individuals with visual impairments.
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Established in 1955, the FNSB is a voluntary non-governmental organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and training of individuals who lose their sight in adolescence or adulthood. During a press conference outlining plans for the organization’s 70th anniversary, Mr. Fusi Akinkugbe, the Executive Chairman of FNSB, reflected on 69 years of relentless efforts in rehabilitating and educating those affected by blindness and visual impairment.
Notable attendees at the press conference included Vice Chairman, Executive Council, Mrs. Arit Tunde-Imoyo, Immediate Past Chairman, Executive Council of FNSB and former Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, CEO of Crestech Engineering Limited, Gbola Sobande, CEO of Ladybird Advertising, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, and other members of the management staff.
Mr. Akinkugbe emphasized the organization’s commitment to preventing blindness and visual impairment while acknowledging the critical role played by donors and partners in sustaining the FNSB. He outlined ongoing needs in areas such as student sponsorship, operational expenses, and essential equipment.
“We need sponsorship for our students,” stated Mr. Akinkugbe, noting the annual cost of over N1 million per student for the two-year training program. He also highlighted the importance of support for staff salaries and listed specific equipment requirements, including a Braille embosser, large volume printer, Braille Translator, Easy converter software, computers, and an operational vehicle.
In anticipation of the 70th anniversary celebrations, Mrs Ayopeju Njideaka, Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Vocational Training Centre, expressed excitement about the organization’s continued dedication to advocacy, rehabilitation, and empowerment for visually impaired individuals.
The FNSB has, over seven decades, significantly impacted the lives of those experiencing blindness in adolescence and adulthood through its rehabilitation and empowerment programs.
Highlighting the curriculum’s focus on economic and psychological empowerment, Mrs Njideaka detailed various skills acquisition programs offered by the centre, including daily living skills, adire making, Cane Crafts, Beads and Nylon crafts, and Soap making.
Mr Akinkugbe concluded by sharing the centre’s achievements, revealing that they have trained over 3,000 visually impaired individuals, with recent graduates pursuing higher education and thriving in various professional fields and entrepreneurial ventures.
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