Following the outcome of its due diligence on tackling poverty in Nigeria, the international charity, Seeing Hearts Foundation (SHF) has commenced sponsorships of visually impaired students into Nigerian universities.
SHF is a British charity active in Nigeria.
The foundation embarked on the due diligence last year arising from the resolve of its Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Tope Songonuga to assist the Federal Government to tackle poverty in the country.
Songonuga told reporters in Abuja on Saturday that the foundation reached an understanding with the National Association of the Blind, to sponsor no fewer than 10 virtually-impaired students in Nigeria to sit for the upcoming university matriculation examination.
She described the gesture as part of an initiative to give succour to the blind students, lift them from poverty and assure brighter future for them.
Songonuga said that the foundation had resolved to step up its activities in Nigeria to assist young people with visual impairments in a bid by the group to assist in Nigeria’s development goals.
She said that the 10 students were selected after a rigorous selection process, assuring that the foundation had resolved to make a huge difference in the lives of blind students nationwide.
“I have seen the struggles of visually-impaired people in different parts of Nigeria, especially students and it’s time for us to impact them in whatever way we can”, she said.
She re-stated that no fewer than 4.5 million people in Nigeria had visual impairments, describing the situation as worrisome.
Songonuga lamented the difficulties faced by physically-challenged people in Nigeria, pleading with the Federal Government to pay more attention to citizens in need, especially in the face of the current economic hardships.
According to her, equity and inclusion are key in imparting virtually-impaired people, who are from indigent backgrounds, to enable them to achieve their full potential.
Songonuga said that the charity, which she described as “very active’’ in Nigeria would create an enabling environment for virtually-impaired people to thrive in the West African country.
“Being visually-impaired should not limit one’s ability to be great in life and to contribute to the progress of the larger society.
“We are coming to impact their lives at a time when government, friends, families, leaders and the corrupt system have failed them”,’ Songonuga further said.
