Federal Government College (Senior), Ijanikin, Lagos, has emerged winner of the seventh edition of the You Can Be Their Eyes Bible Quiz competition, an annual contest organised for visually impaired students.

The school, represented by Gideon Oghorodi and Precious Ehikhoya, scored 80 points to trump four other schools at the competition organised by the BSN at the Salvation Army Church Hall in Lagos.

An elated Ehikhoya said that the victory would inspire her to pursue her dreams in life. “Thank you, BSN, for providing us with a platform to express our abilities despite our challenges,” she stated.

Bethesda School for the Blind, Surulere, Lagos, came second with 70 points while King’s College (Junior), Obalende (55 points); Pacelli Home for the Blind (50 points); and Federal Government College (Junior), Ijanikin (45 points), placed third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mr. John Yekini, a board member of the Vocational School for the Blind, who chaired the event, urged the government to create employment opportunities for people living with disabilities.

“I want the government to give us more recognition, especially jobs. There is no point in training the blind without giving them jobs. We need to work. We need to provide for our families. So, that is the area where I think the government should really come in more,” he emphasised.

In his remarks, the General Secretary/CEO of the BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, represented at the event by the Society’s Church and Public Relations Manager, Mr. Lucky Ogwu, stressed the need for well-meaning Nigerians to support the less privileged in the country.

“God has deposited abilities in those who have disabilities, which well-meaning Nigerians should harness,” he asserted.

According to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey conducted by the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Study Group, about 4.25 million adults aged 40 and above were visually impaired in Nigeria as of 2022.