By Brown Chimezie
The Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) has announced plans to celebrate its 70th anniversary.
Announcing plans for the event, the Executive Chairman of FNSB, Mr. Fusi Akinkugbe said it has been 69 years of working hard to rehabilitate and educate those who go blind and have visual impairment in adolescence and adulthood.
Some executive council members and guests who attended the press conference included vice chairman, Executive Council, Mrs. Arit Tunde-Imoyo, immediate past chairman, Executive Council and former Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, and CEO, Crestech Engineering Limited, Gbola Sobande.
While still thanking previous partners, Mr. Akinkugbe stated that the sustainability of the organisation has largely depended on the support donors and partners have extended to it.
He said the organisation still has needs in the areas of student sponsorship, operational expenses, equipment and resources.
Speaking on the topic, “counting down & celebrating 70 years of providing hope to the visually impaired,” Chairman, Board of Governors, Vocational Training Centre, Mrs. Ayopeju Njideaka said: “We are excited to be planning for the commemoration of the 70th anniversary FNSB, an organisation committed to advocacy, rehabilitation, and empowerment for the individuals facing visual impairment challenges.”
The Chairman of Council, therefore, called on corporate organisations, government, religious institutions and well-meaning individuals to donate towards upgrading the vocational training centre with more facilities to improve the learning environment for the blind.
The FNSB was established in 1955, and it is a voluntary non-governmental organisation set up to rehabilitate and train people who go blind in adolescence or adulthood.