By Providence Ayanfeoluwa    

THE Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, has urged governments, at all levels, to form an inclusive government by appointing People With Disability, PWD across the country.

General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, gave the charge during the society’s donation of 10 sets of Braille Bible to the National Braille Press/Library in Lagos.

Sanusi, who said that a lot of them are qualified to be appointed, pointed out that excluding them from such appointments is against the dictate of equity, justice and fairness. 

He said: “We want to lend our voices to the recent call by the Centre for Citizens of Disabilities, CCD and the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria, to ask the government at all levels to consider appointing people with disabilities into government positions across the country.

“This is part of the ways to form an inclusive government and make them have a sense of belonging.”

Meanwhile, the BSN donated 10 complete sets of the Braille Bible to the National Braille Press in response to their request for religious braille material. 

 The organization had earlier made request to the BSN that their library was empty, and they needed braille materials in the following subjects: English language, Economics, Law, Literature, Social Science, Religion, Commerce, Music, and Computer to enable them have materials for the blind that come there to make use of the library.

According to Sanusi: “Other regular libraries have books and other research materials, why is the library of the National Braille Press different?

“It is no longer news that the blind and the deaf now have access to the Bible in their heart languages. The BSN is the first in Africa to have a centre dedicated to Bible translation into Sign Language to serve the Scriptural need of the Deaf in Nigeria.

“In the past, we had donated 10 sets of Braille Bible to the library of the Vocational School for the Blind, Oshodi Lagos and had also donated two complete sets of the Bible to at least two schools for the blind in each state of the country including Abuja. We have also continued to give the Braille Bibles to individuals who desire to have them.

“Last year we donated a total of 137 complete sets, while we have so far given out 133 copies this year. A complete set of the Braille Bible comes in 37 volumes (four cartons) and now costs N70, 000. We are able do this because of the support we receive from individuals, churches, and corporate organisations. I call on others to join our supporters so we can do more.

“I wish to use this medium to call on well meaning Nigerians and the government to support or fund the donation of braille materials in other disciplines itemized by the National Braille Press.                    

On her part, Head of National Braille Press/Library, Mrs. Abiodun Osifoluke, commended the society for the donation why also requesting for donation in other subject so as to enhance the library.