BY BETI ONU AWKA
AS part of activities marking global observance of International White Cane Day, over 100 visually impaired persons have received world-class white canes with chips to assist them in moving around with little or no help, courtesy of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) in partnership with other groups.
The empowerment took place during the second edition of ANSAA’s “White Cane Campaign” held at All Saints Cathedral Onitsha with the theme, “One blind, one cane: a journey of resilience”.
Speaking at the event that 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, 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, and urged members of the group to continue to add values to the society.
He said that the day marks another chapter in ANSAA’s relationship with NAB, adding that the partnership with other groups such as OAAN, TAVA and Oluebube Charity Foundation in the humanitarian efforts guarantees sustainability.
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, took time to commend ANSAA and partners for the humanitarian efforts in promoting the use of white cane as a vital tool for mobility and independence of members, while Barrister Somadina Chukwueloka, also a visually impaired, spoke on the role of the public to white cane users.
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 as the first family is doing in the state, his government will continue to give persons with disabilities a sense of belonging in its affairs.
