The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB) on Tuesday, 14th October,2025, joined the global community to celebrate the 2025 International White Cane Day in Abuja, seeking for stronger commitment to accessibility, inclusive education, and the enforcement of disability rights across Nigeria.
The annual event, marked every October 15, celebrates the independence, dignity, and mobility of persons with visual impairments worldwide. This year’s commemoration in the Federal Capital Territory featured a sensitization walk from Eagle Square to the National Women Development Centre, aimed at raising awareness about the rights and safety of white cane users.
While addressing the participants, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, described the white cane as “a symbol of dignity, freedom, and self-reliance,” emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in ensuring an accessible society.
“The white cane reminds us of our shared duty to empower persons with visual impairments to move safely and confidently within society,” Gufwan said. “We are working with partners to expand inclusive education, make assistive technologies available nationwide, and strengthen accessibility in public infrastructure.”
He noted that the Commission was also deepening collaborations with federal and state governments to make buildings, transportation systems, and digital platforms more inclusive, while promoting economic empowerment initiatives that enable persons with disabilities to live independently.
Representing the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Mr. Andrew Amos, Assistant Chief Social Welfare Officer, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive governance, saying the administration remains intentional about ensuring that “no one is left behind.”
Also speaking, Mr. Theophilus Odaodu of the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) urged continuous advocacy for accessibility and the enforcement of disability rights, stressing that White Cane Day reinforces the global call for equality and empowerment.
The National President of the Nigerian Association of the Blind, Mr. Onyebuchi Stanley Nnamdi, appealed for the enforcement of the White Cane Law, which mandates motorists to yield to visually impaired persons using white canes. He also called on the FCT Minister to support the Association in acquiring a permanent national secretariat in Abuja.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of assistive devices by NCPWD’s Director of Social Integration, Mr. Lawrence Idemudia. Items donated include, Braille machines and paper, Orbit readers, Braille and talking watches, guide canes, typewriters, talking calculators, slates and styluses, all aimed at empowering persons with visual impairments nationwide.
The celebration concluded with the presentation of awards to individuals and organizations recognized for their outstanding advocacy and contributions toward disability inclusion in Nigeria.
International White Cane Day, established in 1964, is observed globally to honor the achievements and independence of persons with visual impairments and to promote awareness about their rights and safety in society.
