Humanitarian outreach sparks fresh call for collective responsibility as visually impaired pupils seek more support.
Former Oyo State First Lady, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, has urged Nigerians to embrace compassion and consistent giving, stressing that physical disability should never be mistaken for inability. She made the appeal during a humanitarian visit to the Nigeria Training Centre for the Blind and the Oyo State Special Basic School in Ogbomoso.
During the visit, she donated food items and essential supplies including rice, beans, maize, palm oil, spaghetti, sanitary pads, toiletries, and learning materials. She described the outreach as part of her monthly interventions aimed at easing the burden on vulnerable groups, adding that plans were underway to provide uniforms for the pupils.
Mrs Alao-Akala encouraged the students to stay confident and positive, reminding them that their condition does not define their future. She also called on Nigerians, especially leaders and privileged individuals, to support vulnerable communities and remain accountable in service to humanity.
School authorities, however, appealed for increased government funding, revealing that limited resources, high cost of specialised materials like Braille machines, and inadequate feeding allowances continue to strain operations. Despite the challenges, educators noted that the school has produced successful graduates, including lecturers and professionals, proving that visual impairment is not a barrier to achievement.
They urged philanthropists and stakeholders to invest in the education and welfare of visually impaired children, describing it as a meaningful contribution to national development and human capital growth.
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