Lagos Reaffirms Commitment to Disability Inclusion as Resource Centre for Blind Graduates 38, ,
Funmi Ogundare
The Lagos government has reiterated its commitment to policies and programmes that promote inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the third graduation ceremony/donors award and fundraising dinner of the Resource Centre for the Blind (RCB), themed, ‘Harvest of Dreams: A Night of Gratitude and Growth’, the Head of Legal Services, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mr. Babatunde Safiu, noted that the state is determined to build a society where no one is left behind.
“As a government, we are dedicated to rolling out policies, infrastructure, and support systems that ensure equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities,” Safiu said, noting that assistive technologies have already been introduced across public schools in the state.
Safiu, who spoke on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the centre, under the leadership of its Executive Director, Mrs. Temitayo Ayinla, for its long-standing commitment to empowering visually impaired individuals.
According to him, the centre has not only imparted knowledge and skills but has also restored dignity, independence, and hope to countless beneficiaries.
Describing the graduation as more than an academic or vocational milestone, Safiu said it was a celebration of courage, resilience, and triumph of the human spirit.
“To our graduates, you are not defined by limitations but by strength, vision, and achievement. Let this recognition inspire you to aim higher and achieve even more,” he added.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of the centre, Mrs. Temitayo Ayinla, appealed for increased support from partners, donors, and the public to help it build a permanent home and provide scholarships for visually impaired persons seeking rehabilitation and vocational training.
She stated that the current rented space limits the organisation’s ability to meet the growing demand for its services. She noted that the centre is inundated with requests for rehabilitation and empowerment, but is unable to accommodate most of them.
“We dream of a permanent home for the Resource Centre, not just bricks and mortar, but a sanctuary of hope where dignity is built into every wall. As we speak, we are providing scholarships for 38 participants, each representing a life reimagined. For this vision to be actualised, we need your support. We cannot do it alone,” she said.
Highlighting success stories, Ayinla shared how young men and women who once despaired after losing their sight have regained confidence, acquired new skills, and graduated with renewed purpose through the centre’s rehabilitation, mobility, training, and vocational programmes.
“These stories are not exceptions but reflections of resilience, courage, and triumph over adversity. They remind us that disability is not inability, and with the right support, every person can thrive,” she said.
Ayinla urged stakeholders to continue their support, stressing that the resource centre’s mission extends beyond rehabilitation to restoring hope, dignity, and independence to individuals with visual impairments.
“Let us remember, disability is not inability. Each graduate before you are proof that with the right support, no dream is beyond reach,” she said.
Speaking with journalists, Dr. Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of the Sahara Group Foundation, reiterated the group’s commitment to creating opportunities for persons with disabilities.
He stressed that limitations should not hinder access to employment or personal growth.
Adesina, who was represented by the Director of the foundation, Chidilim Menakaya, said the organisation’s philosophy of bringing energy to life responsibly is anchored in inclusivity and equal opportunities.
“Our approach ensures that no limitation, whether physical or otherwise, affects how we work with individuals or empower talents in Nigeria and beyond,” he explained.
He described the graduation ceremony of beneficiaries trained by the Resource Centre for the Blind as extraordinary, noting that the stories of resilience and transformation showcased the power of potential when given the right support.
“This is why Sahara Group partners with organisations like the Resource Centre. We believe in shining a light on extraordinary individuals and amplifying their impact,” he said. “We look forward to sustaining our support and ensuring continuous impact across Nigeria and beyond.”
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