The Edo State Government on Monday approved the payment of bursary for the visually impaired students of Edo origin studying in tertiary institutions.
Governor Godwin Obaseki made this known while receiving members of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Edo State Chapter in Benin.
Obaseki said persons with disabilities were part of the society.
He said: “It is obligatory on the part of government to ensure that their welfare is well taken care of.”
The governor urged the association to compile the names of its members studying in tertiary institutions to the state Ministry of Education for prompt payment of their bursary.
He said a Special Education Department would be established in the College of Education, Abudu or Tayo Akpata University of Education to cater for the physically challenged.
Obaseki said a braille press that would assist the blind to transcribe normal script to braille would also be established in the state.
According to www.nbp.org, an online publication of National Braille Press, the guiding purpose of National Braille Press is to promote the literacy of blind children through braille.
Obaseki said: “It will also provide access to information that empowers blind people to actively engage in work, family and community affairs.”
Obaseki, while announcing a donation of N1 million to the association, urged members of the association to be well organised to achieve better results.
Earlier, the state Chairman of NAB, Nosakhare Asemota, commended the governor for the gesture.
Asemota said the visit was to solicit the state government’s support toward addressing some of the challenges confronting the association.
He said the braille press, when established, would reduce the stress facing the visually impaired students while translating normal script to braille in the neighbouring states.
Asemota called for the establishment of special courses for the blind in the state College of Education because there was no school offering such courses in the state.