NIKKI LAOYE, SAMMIE OKPOSO, DIPP, ESSENCE AND MORE CELEBRITIES SING FOR THE BLIND…IT’S ALL ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL WHITE CANE DAY ON OCTOBER 15TH, 2012

For the regular shoppers to The Palms’ Shopping mall, Lekki, October the 13th seemed like a normal day to go see a movie or simply get some groceries until they stepped into the mall and were welcomed by the voices of their favourite Nigerian Artistes, right along the hall way of the mall.
It was none other than the “SING 4 THE BLIND” fundraising event, organised by Nigerian Recording artiste, NIKKI LAOYE on the platform of her NGO, Angel 4 Life Foundation, bringing together artistes such as SAMMIE OKPOSO, DIPP, ESSENCE, PITA, LAMBOGINNY, ANNY; Celebrities such as FUNKE KUTI, YAW, NEDU,KIKI OMEILI and even a brief stop by TIWA SAVAGE; all coming together to sing and get donations for the upcoming International White Cane Day for the Blind.

A very unique fundraising tactic in these parts it was, as the artistes sang their hearts out, with boxes open for donations and it did turn out to be a great success after all, with a good sum of donations received towards the purchase of White Guide Canes for the blind.

This event was organised in support of the visually impaired, as Nikki Laoye teams up with the Nigeria Association of the Blind (Lagos State Chapter) and Nigerwives Braille Book Production Centre to organise the Lagos Edition of the

global awareness day for blind and visually impaired people tagged "THE INTERNATIONAL WHITE CANE DAY", coming up today, the 15th of October, 2012.

With the theme - “OUR MARK OF INDEPENDENCE”, this day of recognition is held around the world to highlight the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the WHITE CANE and to also promote the safety needs of the visually impaired in our community (people who are blind or have low vision).

With the endorsement of top Nigerian Celebrities and Artistes such as SAMMIE OKPOSO, DAVIDO, FUNKE KUTI, WIZKID, WEIRD MC, FUNKE AKINDELE-OLOYEDE (JENIFA), ESSENCE, ASHIONYE, SABINA (NAIJA FM), KEVIN PAM, SOPHIE (LOVEWORLD PLUS), YAW (WAZOBIA FM), FREEZE (COOL FM)  PITA, XBLAZE, BASE ONE, KEFEE, KIKI OMEILI, JOE PRAIZE, FRANK EDWARDS, MC ABBEY, SAMSONG, KODY(WAZOBIA FM), BOUQUI, NEDU(WAZOBIA FM), OBI SHINE, CASEY and many more, the awareness campaign for the blind and visually impaired in Lagos State has been on a gentle rise.

Funds are currently being solicited for, in order to purchase as many White Canes as possible, which would be distributed freely to visually impaired people and also to support the needs and IT development projects being carried out by the Nigeria Association of the Blind (Lagos Chapter) 

for easy integration of their members back into the society.

And to mark this special awareness day, Today, October 15^th, there would be a WHITE CANE WALK by the visually impaired citizens of Lagos State, alongside government officials, well-meaning Nigerians, celebrities etc; to further equip the general public with information on the independence and access needs of visually impaired people. The Walk kicks off from The Palms Shopping Centre, Lekki @ 10am and ends at King’s College Annexe, Victoria Island.

Nikki Laoye, who has a blind adopted brother, Adeola, stands passionately behind this project and calls for everyone to be a part of it by simply....

”BUYING A CANE" and joining the walk.

"I took Adeola under my wings 3 years ago when we met at a church event. his total independence and ever grinning face 

gripped my heart and has held on ever since. Adeola is a very independent young man - cooks, goes shopping and to church, all by himself.
He lives on the mainland and goes to work everyday in VI,Lagos while undertaking a college degree at University of Ibadan. His ability to move around on the streets with little or no help, once he's holding on to his cane, is simply amazing. His cane stands as his MARK OF INDEPENDENCE; with it, he can go anywhere he wants to. There are many people like him out there who just need this same level of independence so they can live life just as well as we do, despite their visual impairment. Definitely, this can only happen with some more help from us all. HELP BUY A CANE TODAY AND JOIN THE WHITE CANE WALK".

A White Cane is sold at 3,500 naira only and you can support this project by donating towards the purchase 

of the canes as well as other areas required by the Nigeria Association of the Blind(Lagos Chapter).
You can send your donations to: 
Acct Name: L&A LEGAL CONSULTANTS A/C A4L FOUNDATION
Acct Num: 0015034439
Ecobank Nigeria
Branch: Ahmadu Bello Way, VI
(sort Code: 050150311)

This event is proudly supported by Wahala Media Entertainment; Sammie Okposo Hope Initiative (S.O.H.I); Mission Control Nigeria; Audio Visual First; Chicken Republic, Oaken events, Cocacola, Damell Photography, Kingdom Africa, Loveworld Plus, NaijaFM, WazobiaFM, Nigerian Info and many more sponsors.

FOR DONATION DETAILS & ENQUIRIES ON IWCD 2012 , visit
www.facebook.com/a4lfoundation and www.yookos.com/groups/a4lfoundation

CONTACT:
0802 341 5509, 0706 190 5300, 0803 637 9659
Email: a4lfoundation@gmail.com