AS part of activities marking its 16th anniversary, the Centre for Islamic Purification of Nigeria (CIPUN) presented cash and other items to widows, orphans, peasant farmers, the disabled, sick, accident victims and indigent students.

Also, a blind lady, Basirat Bola Fasola (29), was sponsored to College of Education (Special) Oyo.

Born in 1983 at Iya-Oba Compound, Ilero in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, she attended Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Ilero, between 1988 and 1993 and  proceeded to Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ilero between 1993 and 1999.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, Basirat, who claimed that she was not born blind, said she was born with her two eyes working perfectly.

She added that, she completed her primary and secondary education as “complete lady without any deformity.

“I proceeded to the College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where I completed the first and second year without any deformity,” she said.

However, the blind lady said she could not commence the third year in that college, not to talk of completing it.

She explained that she was on vacation when she was attacked by a mysterious illness which affected her two eyes. “This happened when I came to spend the second year vacation at my home town, Ilero, after completing her second year in the college.

“I was promptly rushed to the hospital so that I could be cured of the illness. All the doctors tried their best but it was not enough to save my sight,” she said.

In the process, she lost her two eyes and later became completely blind and she remained under the intensive care in the hospital for a very long time.

While in the hospital, she said her parents were shuttling between home and the hospital to provide her needs.

According to her, it was during the struggle that her father, while returning from the hospital, was involved in a ghastly auto crash which claimed his life.

As a result, her mother became helpless and could not really go further to assist the young lady.

When she left the hospital, her determination to continue her education was paramount in spite of her disability.

In an attempt to proceed with her education, Basirat,  who was in her final year in the College of Education, had to return to Oluho Primary School for the Handicapped to gain basic education for the visually impaired.

She performed brilliantly at the primary school for the handicapped and she proceeded to higher school, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo.

Shortly after gaining admission, she said, her matter was brought to the notice of the Centre for Islamic Purification in Nigeria by the ex-chairman, Kajola Local Government Area, Barrister Gabriel Olajide Ojolowo.

At the centre’s annual programme, a donation of N150,000 was announced and was handed over to the lady.

Speaking, the Centre’s Supreme Coordinator, Alhaji Sulaimon Abdul-Azeez, recalled that former Oyo State Deputy Speaker, Honourable Quasim Ayilara and Barrister Toohir Adeosun who were special guests of honour, donated to the course.

He disclosed that others at the occasion were able to raise N300,000 for the smooth education of the blind lady.

“The fund sustained her education throughout the course of study in the college between 2007 and 2010.

“She proceeded to Lagos State to pursue a computer course which she has completed successfully,” he added.

While noting that the blind lady was married to another visually impaired husband and blessed with a baby who is not impaired, Alhaji Azeez said that Basirat was desperately in need of a job to sustain herself and the family, saying that it could be a civil service job or teaching.

He called on the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to  encourage the more to the lady the more by giving her employment in the state civil service.

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