BSN donates Braille Bible to government agency

By Olusegun Obisanya

The Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, has responded to an appeal made by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to donate educational and religious materials to its library for the use of the physically challenged. Consequently, the non-governmental faith-based organisation has generously donated expensive ten copies of Braille Bible.

In addition, the General Secretary/CEO of BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi has called on generous Nigerians to also come to the aid and assist the visually impaired and other physically challenged Nigerians to actualise their dream in life.

He threw his weight behind a recent call by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria for governments to halt discriminating against the physically challenged by appointing qualified ones among them into positions in the country.

The BSN CEO spoke on Friday during the donation of ten complete sets of Braille Bible to the National Braille Press/Library, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Disaster Management and Social Development (Special Needs Department), Surulere, Lagos in response to the ministry’s call for religious materials.

“According to the organisation, their library is empty and they need Braille materials in English Language, Economics, Law, Literature, Social Science, Religion, Commerce, Music and Computer so that the visually impaired that come to the library will have access to needed materials like other regular libraries.

“Last year, we donated a total of 137 complete set and this year 133 while a complete set of Braille Bible comes in 37 volumes (four cartons) which cost N70,000.00 per complete set. We do this through support of individuals, churches and corporate organisations.

“A lot of them are eminently qualified to be so appointed so excluding them from such appointments is against the dictate of equity, just and fairness. This is part of the ways to form an inclusive government and make them have a sense of belonging,” Sanusi said.

Chief Social Welfare Officer, Mrs Osifoluke Abiodun who received the material was delighted that the BSN responded to their request and that the library would become functional again for the visually impaired and others. She said the library was set up about 30 years ago for both the sighted and the visually impaired.