Disability Not a Barrier to Success -Comrade Nnamani Emmanuel

By Cynthia Igbokwe



The President, Association of Visually Impaired Students, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka , Comrade Nnamani Emmanuel, has called on people living with any type of disability to engage in one skill or the other noting that disability Should not hinder ones success.

The President said this during a one day program, tagged ‘ Yes we Can’ organized by the association on Friday 16 April 2021 at the Digital Library Field of Nnamdi Azikwe University Awka.

Odogwublog.com gathered that, the visually impaired students exhibited different skills, included,  playing of football game, Cultural dance, making of detergent, and cooking  different kinds of meals.

Addressing the students, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Charles Esimone, promised to create a special scholarship scheme for the virtual impaired students as measures set aside to facilitate payment ofr school fees for them.

Odogwublog.com reports that Prof Esimone who was amazed by the students exhibition, noted that the University will organise a more tactful event for the blind students of the university to showcase their skills, while he  pledged to support two  visual impaired students who impressed him in liquid soap and air freshener production. He said the students will supply all detergents that would be used by the institution.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director GUO Motors, Chief Godwin Okeke, eulogized the students skillful efforts while he promised to donate one million yearly to the association.

Chief Okeke also acknowledged the efforts of the Vice Chancellor, on his consideration towards the visual impaired persons, in respect of employment.

In a lecture presented by Prof C.A. Nwankwo, of faculty of education  titled’ Blindness not a hindrance’ urged the students to always possess self-esteem. He said that self-esteem will provide them with foundation for personal growth and development and likely to have confidence in their own judgements and explore  new ideas.

Prof Nwankwo, also beckoned on parents, University and Society at large to promote positive relationship, which he said, will help them feel more positive about themselves ‘perhaps let them know that you understand how they feel. Help them maintain and boost self-esteem, self-concept and efficacy.

Contributing, Dr Chidimma Esther Uzoechi, of Department of Medical Services, Nnamdi Azikwe University, reechoed to the students, that being visual impaired should not be a limitation to living a purposeful and productive life. She also assisted the students with healthy tips which included, for them to always have ‘white cane’ while walking,  to develop the effective use of other sensory organs, maintaining excellent personal hygiene and others.

Odogwublog.com reports that the association presented 29 awards to individuals, which according to the association was in recognition of their strategic human resource management, entrepreneurship excellence and contributions to the community of visually impaired and people living with disabilities at large.

Amongst those awarded was Prof. Charles  Esimone and Chief Godwin Okeke of GUO Motors.