White Cane Day: Visually impaired seek safer roads, jobs

Visually impaired Nigerians have called for safer roads, accessible public infrastructure and increased employment opportunities, warning that inadequate support and weak enforcement of disability laws continue to limit their independence and participation in society.

They made the call on Thursday during activities marking the 2026 International White Cane Safety Day in Lagos, with the theme, “White Cane: Navigating Without Limits.”

Participants and disability advocates urged the government, motorists, businesses and the public to do more to protect the rights of persons with visual impairments.

The event featured a walk from King’s College Annex on Victoria Island to Our Saviour’s Church Hall near Tafawa Balewa Square to raise awareness about the importance of the white cane as a mobility and safety aid for blind and visually impaired people.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Adeola Aina, said the celebration highlighted the challenges faced by people with visual impairments, particularly when navigating roads and public spaces.

Aina called on the government to make roads safer and more accessible, while urging motorists and pedestrians to recognise white cane users and give them the necessary assistance and right of way.

He also called for an enabling environment that would allow blind people to participate fully in society, including access to employment, skills acquisition programmes and grants to support their economic activities.

The Executive Secretary of the Federal Nigerian Society for the Blind, Oluwamayowa Oke, acknowledged the government’s efforts to address disability-related challenges, citing the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs and the state’s special people’s law.

However, he said legislation alone was insufficient without effective enforcement.

“A law is just a law on paper if it’s not implemented,” Oke said, urging relevant government agencies to ensure that policies designed to protect persons with disabilities translated into practical benefits.

He called for stricter enforcement of provisions promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace, questioning whether organisations were complying with employment requirements.

Oke said the challenges facing visually impaired people extended beyond accessibility to economic inclusion and the opportunity to live independently.

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He noted that independence meant more than the ability to move around, stressing that people with visual impairments should be able to secure jobs, start families, own homes and participate in everyday activities without unnecessary barriers.

The Bible Society of Nigeria also participated in the exercise, deploying volunteers to assist participants during the walk.

The society’s Deputy Manager, Literacy and Programmes, Tope Omogbemi, who led its team during the walk, said the organisation was committed to making the Bible available to Nigerians in their preferred languages and formats, including accessible formats for people with visual impairments.

“BSN is committed to making the Bible available to every Nigerian in their preferred language and format, and we are particularly interested in the blind. This is why we partner with the National Association for the Blind every year in celebrating International White Cane Day,” he said.

Omogbemi said the society provided staff volunteers to assist participants during the annual walk, as well as a bus to convey them to the venue. It also supported the event with media coverage and publicity.

He added that the society ran other programmes for visually impaired people, including the annual You Can Be Their Eyes Bible Quiz for students in schools for the blind.

He called for greater support for inclusive programmes and initiatives for blind people.

The Coordinator of the Lions Club’s district projects for 2026/2027, Lion Lady Funmi Alabi, said employment opportunities and support for self-employed persons with visual impairments were essential to improving their living conditions.

She said some visually impaired people already possessed practical skills and operated small businesses but needed more support to expand their activities and achieve financial independence.

The Lions Club, which identifies vision as one of its major areas of focus, supported the event by providing nearly 80 white canes, alongside T-shirts, snacks and drinking water for participants.

The organisation also provided volunteers to guide participants along the route and help them navigate potentially hazardous sections of the road.