Victor Ezeja
AdminAs the world celebrates this year’s International White Cane Awareness Day on October 15, the Nigerian Association of the Blind has expressed deep concern over the soaring prices of white cane sticks across the country.
White canes is pivotal in enabling people who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired to safely and independently move around.
Prime Business Africa reports that the price of white canes in Nigeria now ranges from N15,000 to N20,000, making it unaffordable for many economically disadvantaged blind individuals.
This price surge is mainly attributed to the fluctuation in foreign exchange rates, particularly the value of the dollar and other foreign currencies required for importing white canes into Nigeria.
The challenges faced by blind men, women, and children have been compounded by their resort to makeshift sticks or wooden supports instead of the proper white cane due to the prohibitively high cost.
Lamenting the situation, the Chairman of the Kaduna State Association of the Blind, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, said: “The ability to move through one’s environment and travel without relying on a sighted person is of paramount importance for someone’s independence and empowerment.”
He spoke during a group discussion with members at the Kaduna Rehabilitation Board to commemorate this year’s World International White Cane Awareness Day.
The white cane primarily empowers users to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation cues. It also serves as a visual identifier to onlookers, signifying that the individual is blind or visually impaired and may require assistance. The white color of the cane serves this dual purpose and is often a mandatory requirement in many jurisdictions.
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Contributing to the discussion, Mrs. Queen David, an adviser to the Blind Association of Nigeria appealled to organizations such as, Rotory international clubs, UNICEF, WHO, and child protection organizations, both state and federal governments and Network of Peace journalists (NPJ) to assist them by providing with white canes.
She harped on the importance of enabling these individuals to walk freely and independently, just like any other member of society.
This year, International White Cane Day coincided with International Sight Day 2023 emphasizing the need for global awareness and support in protecting the lives of blind children.
Mrs. David also appealed for Braille typing machines to be made available in all schools catering to blind children across the 36 states of Nigeria.
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