Creative visually-impaired graduate wants to work

SAMSON Nwabueze Nneji, a visually-impaired graduate of Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) who just concluded his national youth service, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to save him from discrimination and provide him with a job in any government establishment.

He also needs at least N2million to produce a Gospel music he composed.

Nneji, from Umuezeowo, Umunomo, Ehime Mbano Local Council of Imo State, was born on September 23, 1988. He was not born blind. He became physical-challenged at the age of eight, when he was playing a friendly football match with a neighbouring community.

A good goalkeeper then, Samson would probably have ascended to national prominence by now if the accident had not occurred.

According to him, a big shot from his opponent came straight to one of his eyes, causing instant severe injury that led to partial blindness. Three years later, precisely in 1996, both eyes were affected. That began his journey as a blind man. He lost his father at a tender age and his surviving mother is not doing well.

He consoled himself with the following words: “The downfall of a man is not the end of his life. That somebody is blind does not mean he has nothing creative to give to society. If you are blind, it is a challenge you have to face. I will not beg because I am blind. I got this problem in1996. I later lost my two eyes. It was when I was playing football, one of my opponents kicked the ball with speed and the ball hit one of my eyes in a friendly match with a neighbouring community. It was on one of my eyes. That one was lost. It also affected the other after two or three years later. ”

But determined to succeed, he took a decision not to beg on the streets. He is today a Bachelor of Arts degree holder from the UNN and has concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). According to him, he is determined to read up to Masters and Doctorate degree levels, if he secures a job.

Nneji, through the help of his then Local Council chairperson, Mrs. Amaka May Abiogwu and others, was sponsored to attend Apkodim Rehabilitation Centre, Mbaise, Imo State; Central School of the Blind, Afara, Umuahia, Abia State and later offered admission to the Department of Philosophy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained his B.A Philosophy.

He told The Guardian recently that he has two songs to his credit, but they are yet to be produced in both VCD and mass production.

This, according to him, could only be actualized with the help of philanthropists, government and other well-meaning Nigerians. He is projecting about N1.3 million for the recording and mass production of the two into VCD.

According to him: “By the special grace of God, I will say I am talented. God gave me the voice to sing to His glory. I have been able to release about two albums in Igbo language, entitled: “Jehovah a no kwamgi na aka (God, I am in your hands) and “Nani nwaoge nta” (just a little time). Since I am talented in singing, I had to look for a means to develop it by composing some songs. Sometimes, I would sing in the dream. Songs could come to me by any means. From there, I would develop them.”

He added: “That does not mean I will abandon education. Just to show people that despite my condition, God can still use me to minister to people. Who says a blind man does not have anything creative to offer to the society? As somebody who has a vision, despite my condition, I cannot allow my vision to die.”

Nneji regretted that some physically- challenged persons beg on the streets today because of their inability to go school or acquire skills.

“There are some people going about begging. They may do that probably they don’t have somebody to train them. There are some who have developed interest in begging, instead of going to school. But for me, God forbid. Because I have seen the importance of education, I am appealing to Nigerians to help me to produce and sell my music,” he said.

“And as a graduate, I also need employment. I am appealing to philanthropists, governments, to help me so that I can succeed in life, to do what I’m destined to do. To produce a VCD, from what people who have experience told me, is not less than N400, 000, then mass production, N250, 000. For the two is N1.3 million.”

For people who are willing to assist him financially, Nneji gave his bank details as Nneji Sampson, First Bank Plc, 3022147786. His GSM number is 08037501709.