By Elizabeth Osayande

The District Governor, 404B2 Nigeria, Lion Prof Dayo Emmanuel Fagbohun, has explained the reasons, members had their eyes blindfolded during a recent dinner with the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, Oshodi.

Fagbohun noted that the dinner, which was part of activities to mark the District’s 2023/2024 service year, and themed: “Value your eyes at work,” made them feel what it meant to live in darkness, and also raised the consciousness of how sight was important.

His words: “Hosting such an event was a challenge, but the impacts it has on the lives of the visually impaired were reasons the Lions International existed.

“Blindfolding our eyes today has opened our minds to what these people go through. We are therefore appealing to the government, and relevant authorities to seek ways to assist these visually impaired persons. For instance, researchers can do research on ways to cure or ameliorate this disability. We are also calling on everyone, especially professionals to take their sight seriously,” Fagbohun stated.

On her part, the District Committee Chairperson, Lion Adebimpe Balogun, stated that members blindfolded their eyes to have dinner with visually impaired persons, to appreciate God’s grace and mercy in their lives, as well as experience what the special people went through.

She noted that: “As members of Lions Clubs of Nigeria, we blindfolded our eyes for a few hours while having dinner with visually impaired persons at the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, to feel what it means to live in darkness, daily, and also appreciate the value of our sight.

“This dinner has opened our eyes to constantly seek medical attention if we notice any defect in the eyes, to shun self-medication, and also to take care of our sight. “

Expressing delight over the visit, the principal of the vocational training centre for the blind, Mr. Joseph Oladoku, praised Lions Clubs District 404B2 Nigeria, for associating with them.

According to him, stakeholders should emulate the Club, to assist Society, which is an NGO, and whose mission is to assist the blind in various capacities, fulfill their mandates.

“I thank the Lions Clubs of District 404B2 Nigeria. This dinner means a lot to us.

“We are using this opportunity to plead to stakeholders to come to our aid. The Centre was established in 1955, a year after the vocational centre was formed.

“Despite admitting persons from all the 36 states, funding remains a challenge. We need more support from the government and other authorities.”