To show the world that visually impaired individuals are “differently abled”, Nollywood celebrities, Sola Sobowale, Odunlade Adekola, Stepnanie Okereke, Funke Akindele, others, are billed to join the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, Oshodi, Lagos,for this year’s May Ball event which comes up tomorrow at the Musson centre, Lagos.

Speaking during a Press briefing, Sola Sobowale emotionally stated that “living outside the country for over 15 years has made me realize that we live in a society where disabled people are neglected by other people; people with special needs are not looked after. I know Nigerians love Sola Sobowale so much, and I asked myself what do I give back to Nigerians, and here I am. I am here to associate and give people with special needs opportunity, to support them and make them proud ”.

The Chairman, Executive Council of the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, Asiwaju Fola Osibo, explained that the fun- filled event, will not only be used to solicit support for the students of the Vocational Training Centre (VTC) Oshodi, but also give them the opportunity to showcase their talents.

His words “Helen Keller said, “optimising is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence”.

These are inspiring words from a woman who refused to let blindness limit her life.

The key words from that statement are Faith, Hope, Confidence and Achievement. These four words also form the bedrock on which the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) is rooted.

Giving an overview of the upcoming event, Vice Chairman of the society, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo said, “It’s a mask event and the purpose of wearing a mask is to identify with the visually impaired persons. People should come, dance to the latest music in town. We are going to provide mask for the first hundred guests.

She continued, “the colour for the event is white and black with a touch of red; there is also going to be a fashion parade using our fabrics, you can be sure to see our students modeling. Guests will also have the chance to a dinner with Nollywood celebrities at the occasion. It’s our major fundraising event where a person is expected to give us a sum of N20, 000 to cover the cost of the venue, feeding and to give us something to help the centre. We are also going to have a raffle draw for a chance to win a ticket to Ghana, Kenya and London.

May Ball is one of the various activities by the NGO to solicit support for the differently abled persons, draw attention to their plight and entertain Nigerians.

By Aderonke Adeyeri