The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind CITAB is calling on all levels of government, organizations, and the wider community to finally wake up and prioritize accessibility and safety for blind and visually impaired Nigerians, in line with the 2025 White Cane and Safety Day, theme: āVision Beyond Sight: Celebrating Independence, Resilience, and Recognizing Achievements of the Blindā.
In a press statement issued in Lagos today and signed by its Executive Chairman, Jolomi George Fenemigho, CITAB noted that White Cane and Safety Day, marked annually on October 15th, serves as a timely reminder that breaking barriers for persons who are blind or visually impaired requires a bit more than just talk and empty promises
According to the group, “The white cane is not just a stick. It is a universal symbol of independence and a ticket to dignity and autonomy for people who are blind or visually impaired. It grants its user the right to safe passage in every sphere of our society. Yet, so many Nigerians who rely on this simple but mighty tool continue to battle everything from crumbling infrastructure and death-trap walkways to motorists who seem to have selective blindness when it comes to respecting cane users”
CITAB poked at the government playbook, stating, “Government and relevant agencies must move beyond grand declarations and shiny policies. The real work lies in seeing to the actual design, implementation, and maintenance of truly inclusive public spaces and making sure accessible transport is not a pipe dream. Reliable enforcement of safety laws to protect cane users is non-negotiable. Building bridges of partnership between government, private sector, and NGOs will help move inclusion from chorus line to main act”
The statement did not mince words on public indifference, adding, “Communities at large and, especially, motorists, must snap out of autopilot and learn what the white cane really means. Respecting the cane is not only the polite thing to do, itās the law and a show of respect for the rights of persons with visual impairment. Public enlightenment isnāt just a tick-box exercise, itās the backbone for real change in attitude and the key to getting rid of the everyday risks and discrimination faced by the blind”
Fenemigho painted a picture of the past and present, saying, “Since 1964, International White Cane and Safety Day has been the worldās nudgeāsometimes a gentle one, sometimes a hard shoveātoward total inclusion of blind persons. It reminds us that the white cane is a game-changer, turning what many see as a limitation into an opportunity for independence. This day isnāt just for speeches and ceremonies, but a clarion call to leaders, planners, engineers, and ordinary citizens to roll up their sleeves and create spaces where everyone truly belongs”
CITAB also drew attention to persistent barriers, pointing out, “From hazardous infrastructure and perilous road design to outdated or absent adaptive technology, cane users still face an uphill climb. Letās remember, giving blind persons what they need to move freely is not charity, but justice”
Fenemigho urged disability groups and the public to join forces, saying, “The road to full inclusion for blind Nigerians is not a solo journey. We all have to pitch ināraising awareness, demanding the right policies, and insisting on actionānot just whispers and lip service. The freedom to move safely and independently should be available to every citizen, no matter their ability”
He wrapped up with a call to action, stressing, “Government officials, planners, and everyone else must stop waltzing around the issue or waiting for a round of applause. Accessibility and safety for white cane users ought to be a walk in the park, not an obstacle course. Letās ensure these rights are something Nigerians live and breathe every single day”
White Cane and Safety Day: CITAB Urges Greater Action on Accessibility, Safety, and Public Awareness
The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind CITAB is calling on all levels of government, organizations, and the wider community to finally wake up and prioritize accessibility and safety for blind and visually impaired Nigerians, in line with the 2025 White Cane and Safety Day, theme: āVision Beyond Sight: Celebrating Independence, Resilience, and Recognizing Achievements of the Blindā.
In a press statement issued in Lagos today and signed by its Executive Chairman, Jolomi George Fenemigho, CITAB noted that White Cane and Safety Day, marked annually on October 15th, serves as a timely reminder that breaking barriers for persons who are blind or visually impaired requires a bit more than just talk and empty promises
According to the group, “The white cane is not just a stick. It is a universal symbol of independence and a ticket to dignity and autonomy for people who are blind or visually impaired. It grants its user the right to safe passage in every sphere of our society. Yet, so many Nigerians who rely on this simple but mighty tool continue to battle everything from crumbling infrastructure and death-trap walkways to motorists who seem to have selective blindness when it comes to respecting cane users”
CITAB poked at the government playbook, stating, “Government and relevant agencies must move beyond grand declarations and shiny policies. The real work lies in seeing to the actual design, implementation, and maintenance of truly inclusive public spaces and making sure accessible transport is not a pipe dream. Reliable enforcement of safety laws to protect cane users is non-negotiable. Building bridges of partnership between government, private sector, and NGOs will help move inclusion from chorus line to main act”
The statement did not mince words on public indifference, adding, “Communities at large and, especially, motorists, must snap out of autopilot and learn what the white cane really means. Respecting the cane is not only the polite thing to do, itās the law and a show of respect for the rights of persons with visual impairment. Public enlightenment isnāt just a tick-box exercise, itās the backbone for real change in attitude and the key to getting rid of the everyday risks and discrimination faced by the blind”
Fenemigho painted a picture of the past and present, saying, “Since 1964, International White Cane and Safety Day has been the worldās nudgeāsometimes a gentle one, sometimes a hard shoveātoward total inclusion of blind persons. It reminds us that the white cane is a game-changer, turning what many see as a limitation into an opportunity for independence. This day isnāt just for speeches and ceremonies, but a clarion call to leaders, planners, engineers, and ordinary citizens to roll up their sleeves and create spaces where everyone truly belongs”
CITAB also drew attention to persistent barriers, pointing out, “From hazardous infrastructure and perilous road design to outdated or absent adaptive technology, cane users still face an uphill climb. Letās remember, giving blind persons what they need to move freely is not charity, but justice”
Fenemigho urged disability groups and the public to join forces, saying, “The road to full inclusion for blind Nigerians is not a solo journey. We all have to pitch ināraising awareness, demanding the right policies, and insisting on actionānot just whispers and lip service. The freedom to move safely and independently should be available to every citizen, no matter their ability”
He wrapped up with a call to action, stressing, “Government officials, planners, and everyone else must stop waltzing around the issue or waiting for a round of applause. Accessibility and safety for white cane users ought to be a walk in the park, not an obstacle course. Letās ensure these rights are something Nigerians live and breathe every single day”
