‘Even though I’m visually-impaired, I want to be a broadcaster’

Lateefat Adesope Adeleye, 33, stood out last Sunday among the 1, 516 beneficiaries of the 2018 Zakat (charity) disbursement by the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation which held at the Lagos Secretariat Central Mosque. It was a solemn occasion as N143m was disbursed to beneficiaries. It was like the grand finale of the 2018 Zakat disbursement […]

Lateefat Adesope Adeleye, 33, stood out last Sunday among the 1, 516 beneficiaries of the 2018 Zakat (charity) disbursement by the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation which held at the Lagos Secretariat Central Mosque.

It was a solemn occasion as N143m was disbursed to beneficiaries. It was like the grand finale of the 2018 Zakat disbursement by the foundation as 16 other states had played host to officials of the foundation doling out different items to the needy.

Many equipment and empowerment items were distributed to beneficiaries. It was learnt that over 1000 entrepreneurs had been empowered in 2018 with working equipment and start-up capital.

The equipment distributed included tricycles, deep freezers, sewing machines, grass cutting machines, grinding machines, laptops and printers, among others.

Mrs. Adeleye evoked the sympathy of all and sundry as she was handed a grinding machine as a form of empowerment. Accompanied by a young man to the event, she has lost her sight but her condition is never a hindrance as she amazed the audience with her mastery and rare competence in beads making.

Though she is visually-impaired, she has a big dream and aspiration. The beautiful beads which look like a flower vase she brought to the venue captured the minds of every guest as she was called out to receive the grinding machine.

She dreams bigger than being at home earning a living from grinding pepper. However, the visual impairment is obviously an impediment to the realization of her dream. Mrs. Adeleye who spoke with Daily Trust on the sidelines of the ceremony said she would have loved to be a radio broadcaster if she had the chance of furthering her education and regaining her sight.

The bead making which she mastered over the years having started in 2015, according to her, is not putting food on her table despite the many complimentary remarks people make about her talent.

She said, “People are always amazed seeing my bead works but they rarely patronize me. They would say, ‘wao, wonderful’ and that is the end. I have done close to seven of these beads in different colours and designs which I have not been able to sell. The prices vary according to specification. I sell this (the one she’s holding) for N5000. I also have the one of small size for N3000.”

In an emotion-laden voice, she recalled how acid was poured on her face by her ‘boyfriend’ which left her blind in 2011.

She said, “I wasn’t blind as a child until December 30, 2011 when I had a clash with my boyfriend and he poured acid in my eyes. We had a clash and I never knew he had such a sinister motive. He initially told me he was going to spoil my beauty and disfigure me, that he didn’t mean to make me blind completely but the acid went directly to my eyeballs.

“I was leaving with my mum when it happened, my father is no more. Then my dad’s relatives made all  efforts to help me regain my sight but it appeared the acid had eaten deep into my eyeballs though some people still told me that I could regain my sight if I get someone that would facilitate my foreign medical treatment.”

Mrs. Adeleye who hails from Oyo State before relocating to Badagry after getting married two years ago, said she likes journalism.

“I appreciate your profession (journalism), I like what you do and I hope I can practice this profession especially I would like to be a radio presenter. Many journalists have come to interview me, they came to my place and promised to get me a sponsor but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t see them again.

“Like I said I wish to go to a broadcasting school to become a radio presenter. I need money to go to school but the help is not forthcoming. I thank Zakat and Sadaqat for this gesture,” she said.