₦airaland Forum

In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to equity and inclusion, the Ford Foundation has launched a Centre for ICT Skills for the Blind on Tuesday, 7th October at the Bethesda Home and School for the Blind in Lagos, Nigeria. This initiative, known as the BlindTech Hub, represents a significant stride toward digital inclusion for individuals with visual impairments, creating a space where technology meets empowerment.

For decades, the Ford Foundation has been a global leader in advancing social justice, promoting equality, and supporting institutions that create opportunities for marginalized groups. Through this new partnership with Bethesda, the Foundation is once again demonstrating that its mission to reduce inequality and expand access to opportunity is not just rhetoric, but a living reality in local communities.
The launch event celebrated innovation, collaboration, and compassion, bringing together community leaders, advocates for disability inclusion, and beneficiaries who are already inspired by what this facility represents.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Chinonso Vincent, the Head of Corporate Relations at Bethesda and Project Manager for the BlindTech Hub, highlighted the importance of creating more inclusive spaces like the BlindTech Hub across Nigeria. He emphasized that in today’s digital age, technology is not just a tool for convenience but a gateway to independence and empowerment. According to him, facilities like the BlindTech Hub ensure that no one is left behind in the fast-evolving digital economy. He noted that with the right training and access to technology, visually impaired individuals can become software developers, data analysts, content creators, and entrepreneurs, proving that disability is not inability.

Mr. Vincent also spoke about the Ford Foundation’s objectives, describing the organization as a global force for social justice and equality. The Ford Foundation, established in 1960 in Nigeria, is one of the world’s leading philanthropic organizations dedicated to advancing social justice, reducing inequality, and strengthening democratic values. Through its West Africa office, the Foundation has supported numerous initiatives promoting education, inclusion, and empowerment, values deeply reflected in this partnership with Bethesda. He explained that Ford Foundation’s partnership with Bethesda aligns perfectly with its mission to reduce inequality and support inclusive institutions. He commended the Foundation for its forward-thinking approach to inclusion, calling the project a “true investment in human potential.

The community that surrounds Bethesda also shared in the excitement of this achievement. Pastor Enoch Adisa of Christ Apostolic Church, Agege Motor Road, and Mr. Paul Daramola, a resident and long-time witness of Bethesda’s growth, both gave heartfelt remarks at the launch.
They described the new tech hub as a blessing to the community, recognizing the far-reaching impact it will have not just for students of Bethesda, but for the neighborhood as a whole. They expressed deep gratitude to the Ford Foundation for making the project a reality, and to Rev. Dr. Chioma Ohakwe for her unwavering commitment to uplifting the visually impaired.

Their words captured a shared sense of pride and hope that when institutions and communities work hand in hand, transformation follows.

The Director of Bethesda Home and School for the Blind, Rev. Dr. Chioma Ohakwe, gave an emotional address during the event. She reflected on Bethesda’s humble beginnings and her lifelong vision to create an environment where the visually impaired can learn, live, and lead with confidence. She expressed deep appreciation to the Ford Foundation for its support, describing the new BlindTech Hub as a dream fulfilled. According to her, the hub represents more than infrastructure; it'sm a platform for hope, education, and empowerment.
Dr. Ohakwe reaffirmed Bethesda’s commitment to providing holistic education and life skills that equip the blind and visually impaired to contribute meaningfully to society. She also expressed her gratitude to the staff, volunteers, and the community for standing with Bethesda over the years.


Applications are now open for the 2026 training cohort at the BlindTech Hub. We invite all blind and visually impaired persons who are eager to learn, grow, and embrace digital skills to apply and be part of this transformative journey. If you know someone who could benefit from this program, please share this opportunity with them. Together, let’s continue to build a more inclusive and empowered future for all. Interested people should apply here.


Source: https://bethesdahomefortheblind.com/blog-single/%20A%20New%20Dawn%20for%20Inclusion%20as%20Bethesda%20Launches%20BlindTech%20Hub%20in%20Partnership%20with%20Ford%20Foundation


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ogascomax:
As far as the country is concern South East remain an Igbo tribe. Igbo is yet to take that office whether the name is an Igbo name does not matter.

Is south east a tribe or a region??

Stop confusing yourself bro

Also, it's okay to say no south easterner has taken the position, which I concurred to earlier today in one of the replies. But stop gaslighting Igbos in other regions like they're not Igbo enough because they're not from the southeast

ogascomax:
He is from Delta State. So they have right not to call him an Igbo.

What are you talking about bro


Some parts of Dellta state are literally Igbo, like Onicha Ugbo where Kachikwu hails from

Nochiriemmanuel:
Ibe kachukwu is from the South South, and not the South East.

Okay yeah, tru, he's from the south south, but he's igbo

Nochiriemmanuel:
No south Eastern since inception.
Nigeria is really a joke

Okay, please check well sir...

How about Mr. Ibe Kachikwu?

Hemanwel:
I used to be a die-hard AC Milan fan. Since 2005 UEFA CL final, when Liverpool came from three goals down to defeat us, I've had that dislike for them.
I hated Arsenal since the days of Arsene Wenger.

Then I'm not sure you like good football bro

Hemanwel:
I like to see Man City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and PSG win matches.

In the same vein, I like to see Man U, Madrid, Liverpool, and Arsenal lose matches.

I am indifferent about Chelsea, Juventus, Tottenham, Inter Milan, and ATM matches.

In conclusion, I am a lover of good, entertaining football.

Like you, I like to see good football, but I'm wondering why you added Liverpool and Arsenal in the teams you love to see lose

LagosOrigin:
The northerners are wise now, nobody takes this man and his likes serious again in the north .

This format don caste tey tey

What exactly are you saying, that Obi did anything wrong to him for being Igbo?

Penguin2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh1zcSEJhcY?si=fyoWiCTJCvN2T6Pc

Yesterday in church, Wike climbed the pulpit and accused Peter Obi of not organizing Local Government election for 8 years as a governor.

Well, that accusation has now been confirmed as false as indicated by this throwback video from Channels Television, Obi can be seen here swearing in 20 elected Chairmen of the 20 Local Governments in Anambra State.

Again, they have nothing on Obi that’s why they always resort to outright lies.

@ CoronaVirusPro

NgeneUkwenu:
Coalition of Northern Fraudsters, Who Can't Endure Four Years Out of power.

Things to note before the usual emotional tribe get their hopes high:

South West- There's no state Atiku can get up to 10% of the votes.

South South- There is no state as presently constituted, that Atiku can get up to 10% of votes cast.

South East: There is not state here, Atiku will see up to 10% of the votes cast.

NORTH Central; With the exception of Taraba and Niger states( Where Atiku can get up to 25% of the votes) there is nothing for him in this Zone.

North West and North East ( Atiku will win handsomely here with born to rule mentality of the hausa fulani,) but that wont be enough to compete with Tinubu when the Numbers are added.

SUMMARY:
Atiku will only make 25% in about 15 states, while Tinubu is projected to make at least 25% in 32 states and Abuja!

You're not getting the permutations these guys are making. What if Atiku merges with Peter Obi?

casualobserver:
your post would make sense if iran started the war.
they didnt start the war.

this is the reason the wanted a nuclear weapon...you dont see anyone bombing north korea. Everybody leaves them to dey them dey because they have nuclear weapons.

What proxy terror groups has north korea equipped with ammunition to strike other countries?

I've been experiencing the same thing.

About to send an email to NCC and other relevant parties, reporting them.

Please accept my request to email you, so I will forward my email to you. If many of us could send similar emails to relevant bodies they might take action.

Mom007:
Does anyone really need to be told this? After this rainy season comes to an end, I will not take anyone who still complains of not having food to eat serious. The only reason anyone should not be farming right now is that they are financially capable to buy their foodstuffs at whatever price it is sold at the market. Anything less than that, go and farm!!!

Lol, Nigerian "experts" sef

Ginaz:
it has been sorted out. take your time to read through the pages.

I'm fine.

I've read the most recent comments and I'm really excited.

You are a kind person, but you're also very emotionally sensitive - that in itself is good if you learn to apply it intentionally (I'd recommend Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman)

And may God bless you abundantly for all you do ma'am, pls don't relent.

I was enjoying your narration until I read the part where you blocked her, you were very emotionally aware until then. You should have reached out to discuss, so that even if it'd lead to ending the friendship, you'd have been certain that that's exactly what she was trying to communicate indirectly. You didn't try at all. Please unblock her and still reach out, tell her you took the action of seeking to let her be in a bid to empathize with her because you infact thought she wasn't too comfortable with your closeness, and then hear what she'd say.

AllBlack:
Please tell me that Maslow's principle only applies to Nigerian women or that it is not obtainable in other countries (or environments) with respect to their economy and IMMEDIATE the present situation of the subject.

You still don't get the drift. The majority of those in poor countries are stuck below the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy, and hence interpret everything in life in terms of its ability to meet their existential needs (food, shelter, and clothing). And yes there are people who are that poor in developed countries too, but they are not a good representation of the bigger population at all.

Now to strike the balance between you and the other commenter, I have dated someone before who did everything possible to prove she "loved" me and won me over. I would soon realize deep into our commitment that she was leaving the option open, hoping that any random "richer" dude could come to take my place. Of course, this hurt me and I had to remove myself, as I didn't want to be one of her options, or bring myself down to being judged by material things that just anyone can get. That saved the friendship, and as we remained friends and continued to interact over time, I would later understand where she stands from a point of empathy... this person came from a village in Imo state (as a nurse) to hustle in Lagos and uplift the condition of her family - who (unreasonably) depended on her for almost everything. And so LOVE in its real meaning hardly existed in her reality. In fact, something as basic as the love of parenting (where children should find their first real love) was never experienced by people like her. Most of the care they got from their very own parents was bargained, and it's especially worse for female children in such a situation, as they are warned every day from an early age while being "cared-for" that they are a commodity which a future male suitor will buy and payback for. Albeit, these things are never said directly.

On this realization, I continued to support her with food (as much as I had, whenever I did have) - what she needed the relationship for. She, on the other hand, I noticed that she continued to "love" and accept "love" from everywhere she could find it. A year down the line, she got pregnant for someone and confided in a mutual (female) friend of ours whom she was at the time close to that she wasn't sure whether it was the guy who sponsored her to Lagos or someone else who flew her for a trip to PH that was responsible, but she settled for someone sha. And lol, that was when I further realized that it was even another man who promised her (and her family) marriage that even sponsored her to Lagos in the first place.

AllBlack:
And let me tell you again. Even rich babes & guys look into prospects, social & financial status, social benefits and other factors when relationship or even sex is involved. The demand might be indirect or bit-by-bit but it will happen.
You think wealth equivocal to behaviour? think again. It is just like saying kids from rich homes don't steal or lie. It is a behavioural trait.

Like I said before, not all females (and even males) are so materialistic or focused on benefits in relationships. It all depends. And if you find yourself with a demanding person and it doesn't work for you, then there is option to leave rather than complain.

Case closed.

The other guy was right. Do you know what Maslow's hierarchy is?

I will really appreciate it if you could share what skills you learned from that lab you talked about. Also, did you pay or was it on a scholarship basis... What were the selection criteria? Also, have you now gotten a job with it, and tell us about it? This could be of help to other people here in your situation seeking to transition too. While trusting the lord in faith, and praying, I'm sure there are one or two right steps they can learn to start taking from your experience, and mistakes to avoid too. Thanks and may God bless you.

Angelfrost:
Sshhhh... Calm your soul!

If he delivers all round in this first tenure, nothing is stopping his reelection! Not even if he decamps to APC!

Don't get too emotional about political parties and politicians in Nigeria... They are all the same!

People should vote for individuals not party!

TRUE.

Monzze:
Why are you still sinning?

Or do you mean, why am I having victory over sin daily?

Monzze:
Are you saved?

Yes, by God's grace

Monzze:
It's impossible to be righteous. people don't repent, we just ask for forgiveness and go back sinning again (maybe a different one this time), and it keeps going on and on till your last breath.

Don't let your experience deceive you of the saving power of Christ bro. Run to Christ. He will save you to the uttermost

Likoya:
Bunch of idiots....The only thing in your mouths is sex sex sex sex and more sex, as if that is the only sin in this world....You will not talk about the high rate of corruption among the government and their repercussions, or the high rate of false prophecy among some pastors and their repercussions or the high rate of ritual killings....It's always the high rate of sexual related stuff you guys are fixated on,as if Na the only sin wey dey this world.... Sometimes I wish I could see some of you one on one, body go tell Una... Useless fools

If this is your heart convicting you of the sin of immortality then repent when you still have the opportunity to. Christ will forgive you and set you free from this sin, bro. Stop hardening your heart or seeking to fight the vessel through which Gid is bringing your sins to your attention. May the lord help you, bro. Amen.

OP is my bro and this issue has not been easy at all. Pls can the moderators push this to fp for more suggestions.

Seun, Dominique, mynd44, lalasticlala. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

goziem1982:
P.O is not challenging the result but the process that led to the result.

He's challenging both actually. Without proving the compromise I'm the process, it might be difficult for him to argue the results.

9jatriot:
Perhaps someone could provide an explanation regarding this matter. How do any of these factors prove that Obi won the election?

His argument seems to suggest that if the results were not uploaded to iREV, the entire election should be canceled in order for his line of reasoning to make sense. However, I am trying to understand the basis of his argument, which implies that everything went well until the uploading process, without any indication of altered results in those units. He is solely relying on the fact that the results did not upload to claim victory.

I have mentioned before that Obi, along with his lawyers and associates, is aware that he did not win, which is why he is not even attempting to demonstrate his victory and is solely focusing on the issue of iREV not functioning properly.

Nonetheless, INEC should provide a proper explanation as to why that aspect did not work.

A reasonable response here but you don't seem to be getting the point. The point of bvas is to ensure that accredited voters are authentic, and the point of irev is to ensure realtime uploading from the polling units, which in turn is meant to prevent alteration. Inec adopted this to reduce the possibility of changed results. Now Peter Obi's team Seema to be arguing that that process did not work (the second part of it) and against that backdrop, the results in a lot of polling units were altered to either favour other candidates (like the eventually declared winner) and/or reduce his own votes alongside. This is what he wants to use the certified tru copies of electoral materials from polling unit in kogi, venue, rivers, Lagos, etc. to argue, and he wants to prove that these discrepancies were substantial enough to overturn the election. You get?

From the way I'm seeing you I don't even think quitting the relationship is the main issue here. I can deduce that if you even go into another relationship the same thing will still happen. That girl (and ladies generally) won't do such for someone they respect. For some reason, you don't seem to have any iota of respect for yourself. Do you care to discuss this?

Bro, you write like an educated person. I think you should respect yourself a lot more.

If I may also ask, what do you really stand to benefit from this association or relationship? What's really at stake for her here?

Even the screenshots too you posted didn't contradict your fears at all. She's using you. It's as clear as daylight.

Goodlady:
I ll give you two.
* My ATM (Any Time Moneygiver)
* My GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).

Tips:
Always rub your head on the centre of his head. It's a charm to secure his source to your source. Own your man completely.

These are very derogatory

Kobojunkie:
A sperm donor does not a father make. Science has more than made that abundantly clear to us all at this point in time. You are not a mother simply because you donated an egg or carried a child to birth — women who work as surrogates can attest to this. Again, science has shown us that on numerous occasions. It is now up to us to update our individual cultures to account for this wisdom or continue to wallow in the ignorance of the past pretending we fulfill some sort of righteousness in our foolishness. That is my opinion.

Don't mind the guy, let him keep wallowing in the delusion of his dark ages "wisdom" in 2023.

Like how do women even involve themselves with something so serious with people like that. Not even a single iota of respect for her and the loving family that raised her to become something in society today, baba wants to bring his own tradition and change theirs when they're not even married oh, what will now happened if they're now married?

And I'm sure she will see this red flag and still continue. Later she would be the one to run to NL for advice.