FCMB donates Braille Machines to the blind, restates commitment to supporting the less privileged

In line with its commitment to continually empower and impact lives in all segments of the society, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has donated 15 Braille machines to the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB) at its Vocational Training Centre (VCT) located at Oshodi, Lagos state. The Braille machines (comparable to a typewriter) are designed to aid the blind in reading and writing, with a view to assisting them get sound education.

The donation of the machines forms part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which focus on poverty alleviation, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. The gesture is aimed at effectively supporting the efforts of the FNSB towards enhancing the standard of teaching, as well as learning of the blind, who are students of the VCT. The centre was established 60 years ago and so far, over 2,000 visually impaired men and women have benefitted from the various training programmes at the centre.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony on Friday, August 12, 2016 in Lagos, the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo, said that the Bank recognises the importance of every segment of the society. He added that, ‘’as a corporate organisation, we believe that it is necessary to constantly extend the hand of fellowship, support and love to the physically challenged and other less privileged groups through charity programmes like this. We will continue to support initiatives and programmes that empower people to fulfil their aspirations. We are committed to helping a wide spectrum of our stakeholders to ensure the emergence of a sustainably progressive society’’.

Also speaking, the Divisional Head, Human Resources and Strategy of FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, explained that, ‘’as an institution, we will do our best to help remove barriers, give new hope, provide resources and expand possibilities, so that people with vision loss can achieve their full potential’’. She urged the students not to see the physical challenge as an impediment to the attainment of their respective ambitions.

The Divisional Head further commended the Board and Management of the FNSB for sustaining the Society and the VCT over the years and for its contributions in alleviating the plight of the visually impaired.

In his response, the Chairman of Council, FNSB, Asiwaju Fola Osibo expressed, “profound gratitude to FCMB’’. He said, “we are determined to give the best support to the students of the Centre so that they can actualize their potential and subsequently contribute to national development”. Asiwaju Osibo appealed to the government, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to assist in providing support for the centre.