ANGLO-NIGERIAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND (ANWAB) is a non-profit, non-governmental charitable organisation. Our main aim is to create an enabling environment that will foster independence of blind people through education and welfare. Serious attention is paid to the interests of all blind people, particularly blind women.
Working actively with friends in the United Kingdom, the Association was founded in 1994 in order to help alleviate the many obstacles facing blind persons in Nigeria.
ANWAB was first registered as a charity in the United Kingdom in December 1994 and with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria in November 1999, with one important objective being the provision of reading materials in Braille or audiotape and training in independent living for all blind persons. The Association’s Centre commenced operations in October 1996.
Through the transcription of textbooks into Braille, ANWAB has enabled many more blind students to go to school and also become gainfully employed. All these blind persons desire support, services and facilities from ANWAB.
ANWAB Centre for the Blind is located at 275 Herbert Macaulay Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.
Mr. Prachant and NCC Staff visited the office after training
Other services provided for the blind by the Centre include:
Computer training, Internet Café service for the blind using a screen reader, full-service Braille library service, Braille, mobility and typing lessons as well as guidance and counseling to the blind, their parents, government and the general public. An important aspect of ANWAB’s work is outreach, i.e., reaching out to blind students all over the country to find out their book needs and other sources of support by ANWAB as a facilitator.
ANWAB has a Management Committee which helps to raise funds and supervise the day-to-day operations of the organisation, including its sponsored projects. The Chief Executive/Director of the Centre is Mr. Danlami Basharu, a visually impaired Nigerian lawyer with wide experience in disability issues and interaction with the media. He has qualifications in Education, Management and Law from the University College of Wales, Durham University Business School, Cambridge University and the Nigerian Law School.
The Chairman of ANWAB’s Board is Miss Barbara Wey, a retired Lagos State civil servant who oversees the Centre’s activities, and is assisted by Efiom Asuquo, a chartered insurer and retired broadcaster. Other members of the Board include Mr. Ogie Eboigbe, a retired banker and Communications Consultant, Mrs. Jean Obi, MBE, MFR, who was the first Chairman of the organization, Mr. David Okon, a visually impaired executive of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Chief Mrs. Aderonke A. Koya, a retired Special Education teacher, Eng. Olugbenga Olabenjo, a COREN Registered Chartered Civil Engineer and Dr. Mrs. Ayodele Harriman, an ophthalmologist. The Trustees of ANWAB are Mrs. Jean Obi, MBE, MFR; Barr. Danlami Basharu, and Mr. Ukay Kalu as recorded with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria. The association’s patrons are Mrs. Olufunlola Aderinokun, a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Fola Adeola, former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and founder of Fate Foundation and Senator Dr. Bode Olajumoke, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The late Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, former Nigerian Health Minister, was also a Patron of ANWAB.
ANWAB has seven members of staff and one full time volunteer. They include 3 females and 5 males. Three members of the staff are visually impaired.
Management Board
Staff
