The Kwara State chapter of the Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB) has called on government authorities and members of the public to move beyond token sympathy and ensure the inclusion of visually impaired persons in employment and other aspects of society.

The state Chairman of the Association, Mr Abdulakeem Lawal, made the call in Ilorin during the commemoration of the 2026 International White Cane Awareness Day.

He described the white cane as an essential tool for independence, confidence and resilience, enabling visually impaired persons to navigate their environments independently.

On public safety, Mr Lawal urged motorists and commercial transport operators to exercise patience when they encounter white cane users.

He said the use of a mobility aid should not be mistaken for weakness, adding that visually impaired persons may require assistance when crossing busy roads.

While acknowledging gradual improvements in public awareness, Mr Lawal said significant gaps remained in inclusive education and equal access to employment.

He expressed concern that visually impaired persons often acquired formal education and professional qualifications but continued to face unemployment.

"It is unacceptable for visually impaired individuals to overcome hurdles to acquire education and professional skills, only to return home to prolonged unemployment. Society must embrace proper inclusion across all aspects of life to enable special persons to demonstrate their inherent abilities," he said.

Supporting the call, a broadcaster and member of NAB Kwara, Mr Abioye Opadokun, identified systemic barriers, including cases of landlords refusing to rent accommodation to visually impaired persons and public institutions failing to provide accessible infrastructure.

Mr Opadokun described the white cane as an instrument of freedom rather than a symbol of limitation, urging landlords, corporate organisations and government institutions to eliminate discriminatory practices and provide accessible facilities.

As part of the commemoration, visually impaired students and advocates embarked on an awareness procession from the General Hospital, Taiwo, Ilorin, through the Post Office area to the Kwara State Library Complex, which houses the association’s state secretariat.

A student of Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin, Barakat Akintunde, said environmental hazards and poorly maintained walkways continued to pose risks to white cane users.

The Director of Rehabilitation at the Kwara State Ministry of Social Welfare, Mr Taiye Ikupolati, said the state government routinely distributed assistive devices, including white canes, wheelchairs, crutches and walking sticks, free of charge to beneficiaries across the state.

Mr Ikupolati assured that the ministry would continue to prioritise inclusive policies and welfare programmes to improve mobility and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.