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It started in 1976 when two blind persons Dr. Bitrus Gani-Ikilama and his friend Mallam Luka Hayi with two sighted friends Dr. A H Dyson and Dr. (later Professor) Peter Asun, felt led by God to start a Cassette ministry (funded from their own pockets) for the Blind. This was in response to the call of several blind students who wrote to Mr. Gani seeking help. The ministry was at that time called the Tape Recording Service for the Blind, and remained so until June 1979 when it was renamed HOPE FOR THE BLIND. Dr. Bitrus Gani-Ikilama was the founding chairman and remained so until his death in 2011.
- Isaiah 42:15
Whatever we do should be
Christ-centered
To feel and share the experience of the
VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Give unreserved SERVICE and
HOPE to the Blind
What Training Programmes does "HOPE" offer?
Our Programmes involve teaching the Blind & Typing, Reading, Writing Braille, Mobility and Orientation and Daily Living Skills.
Rehabilitation enables the blind to be able to adapt to their environment and to be self-reliant.
This enables the blind to acquire skills in various arts such as the making of liquid soap, Izal, body cream; Bead work – Table mats, Flower Vases, Trays, Hand bags, Purses, Necklaces, Earrings etc. This aims at empowering the blind to be productive and financially independent as they market their products.
Computer literacy is taught so that the blind can keep abreast of global, trends and enhance learning.
All trainings in HOPE FOR THE BLIND are open to all visually impaired persons irrespective of their tribe or religion. The trainings are free, and accommodation too is free. All students are however required to take care of their feeding, but we supplement their food items and other needs from donations we receive from time to time.
Stay tuned for our upcoming events and join us for an unforgettable experience.
Starts as an Open Day for HOPE’s Supporters and Staff to interact, and see the place and the work. This is followed by our Thanksgiving Service / Annual General Meeting.
This brings together blind persons from various parts of Nigeria. This Conference is residential. Feeding and accommodation are free at our conferences
Our founding Chairman, Dr Bitrus Gani-Ikilama, born on February 25 1944 passed on on the 20th of February 2011. Though blind, he worked at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and as Chief Physiotherapist and head of the department of Physiotherapy at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria where he retired in 2002.
Shortly after the death of our founder and Chairman, there was a fire incidence which consumed the entire office building of Hope for the Blind o the 15th of April 2011. That building housed the chairman’s office, the director’s office, public affairs and accounts office, the studio, (with cassettes of sermons, songs, various school textbooks etc) the Braille department, the Braille library, the store, all the office equipment, and a guest apartment at the end of the building. We praise the Lord that no life was lost. The building and all in it- the work of many decades- may be burnt, but the vision and mission of HOPE cannot be burnt.
Mr Andrew Gani-Ikilama, former Executive Director of HOPE resigned from the services of HOPE on June 18 2011 at the first AGM after the founders’ passing on.
Prof. Josiah Alamu, our former Treasurer who had relocated from A.B.U Zaria to Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho passed on in July 2015.
After Four and half years of meritorious service in HOPE, Mrs H. Mairiga resigned as Administrative Secretary of HOPE in November 2015
One of our trustees, Dr Christopher Abashiya, (MFR) an elder statesman, Christian leader, and Hope for the Blinds very consistent friend and supporter went to be with the Lord on 28th May 2018. His valuable contributions over the years are still fresh in our minds.
– Our Conference Hall and Guest house are still available for personal and group retreats and other Christian programmes. We have standard guest rooms at affordable rates.
– Graduation: Our students graduate from various departments at different times of the yearNEWS
Renovation of our facilities (the guest house and staff accommodation), the building of a new administrative block (General T.Y Danjuma Administrative block) and the new block of three classrooms for our training programmes (Prof. C. A Kogbe Training Centre) took place between November 2020 to August 2021. This is the Lords doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. We pray for the singular donor – Gen T.Y Danjuma – that made all this possible. It is noteworthy that the land on which Hope for the Blind was built, was a donation by Prof and Dr Mrs C.A Kogbe in the early eighties.
Annual Christian Conference and the Themes
Bank Accounts:
Name: Hope for the Blind