We blindfolded our eyes to understand what it means to live in darkness – Lion Fagbohun
Ever since, Helen Keller inspired Lions International to champion the cause in 1925, the world largest service organisation have served and advocated for the blind and visually impaired. Nearly a century later this long standing mission continues unhindered.
It is worth noting that Lions International has the long history of serving the blind and visually impaired and, remain committed to continuing this mission into the next century of service.
Helen Keller of Blessed Memory urged the association to champion this cause, she said”will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness ; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? and then she went on to appeal to Lions, “ I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind”, she appealed.
Her appeal continues unhindered , reason the Lions International strategic objective , is to prevent avoidable blindness and improve quality of life for people who are blind and visually impaired.
It is on this premise that Lions Clubs District 404B2 Nigeria, under the leadership of Lion Prof Dayo Emmanuel Fagbohun , recently, visited the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind to have a dinner with them.
During the visit in Oshodi, the District Governor, Fagbohun, explained why Lions in the District blindfolded their eyes to have dinner with the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, to understand what it means to live in darkness.
Speaking at the event, he said, hosting such an event was a challenge, but the impact it has on the lives of the visually impaired were reasons the Lions International was in existence.
“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, because we wanted to truly appreciate God’s grace and mercy in our lives , as well as experience what the special people are passing through.
The dinner , which was part of activities to mark the District’s 2023/2024 service year was themed: “Value your eyes at work.”
In addition, Balogun noted that: “As members of Lions Clubs of Nigeria, we blindfolded our eyes for 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 see medical attention if we notice any defect in the eyes, to shun self-medication, and also 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 facilitating 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.”
