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Ikechi Nzeako
Lions Clubs International District 404B2 at the weekend celebrated the Helen Keller 2026 Day with activities to create awareness about disability and the need to empathise and support people living with disabilities.
The theme of the event was “Connected by touch: breaking barriers, building bridges”.
There was a health walk to create awareness that physical exercise is critical to a healthy life.
Speaking at the event, District Governor, Lions Clubs International District 404B2, Lion Kemi Eribake, stressed the need for people not to discriminate against people with disabilities, adding that many of them can perform like any other person.
Speaking at the event, Lion Abiodun Wilkey, the chairperson for the 2026 Helen Keller Day celebration, said that the day was set aside to commemorate a great lady who, despite losing her ability to speak and hear, learnt to use sign went to college, became a disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer and became the first deaf and blind person in the United States to earn a college diploma.
Wilkey disclosed that Keller was honoured as the Knight of the Blind, adding the Lions Club commemorates her every year with a series of activities.
He stated that the event started with an essay writing competition for secondary schools in Lagos, adding that schools wrote in, talking about how to communicate with the deaf and the blind.
He stated that the students expressed the best way they could understand and communicate with and help the blind and the deaf.
He said the club over the years focused on the blind but decided to bring the two communities together.
According to Wilkey, the club invited the Nigerian Association of the Blind, Lagos chapter and the Deaf Can Dance group, a community of deaf students.
The group performed different dances at the event.
Dr. Akhere Marian Akran, a guest speaker and Head, Communications for Seams Deaf Pro Foundation, a Nigerian non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, particularly youth across Africa, highlighted the importance of ensuring the capacity of disabled people is encouraged and acknowledged.
She called on the government to include people living with disabilities to be given a chance to thrive irrespective of their disability.
She said that Keller was blind and deaf, adding that there was no cap placed on her ability and she was able to thrive to the fullest of her capacity irrespective of her disability.
Dr. Akran said that a lot has been done in terms of advocacy and policy for the disabled community, adding that it is time to implement the policies and work the talk about treating people with disabilities with respect and honour and respect.
She called on Nigerians to support people living with disabilities and always ask them how best can to help them.
“And then in our planning of everyday activities, we should always ask, who have we left out of this to ensure that no one is left behind?” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Barr. Babatunde Sofiu, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Lagos State chapter, praised the club for organizing the event, adding that it will go a long way to create awareness about the challenges that people living with disabilities face in society.
