Emmanuel Nweke, a visually challenged alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State, claims he used his outstanding academic record to fight stereotypes around blind people.
The 31-year-old man, who studied social work at UNN, said he worked hard to achieve the feat so he could change the narrative surrounding people like him (disabled people).
He also stated that he was not born blind, but he has endured prejudice and stigma as a result of his disability.
ALSO READ: Meet woman who claims she blinded herself to fulfill her life-long dream of being disabled
Nweke stated that his accomplishment has cleared a path for other visually impaired persons, and it is his legacy at UNN.
Speaking on how he bagged a first class despite being visually impaired, he said; “Wanting to change the narrative ignited my passion. Naturally, a visually impaired student will be seen by others as someone that won’t do well. I wasn’t born blind, so, facing all manner of stereotyped stigmatisation, I felt that I could as well do it (graduate with a first-class degree) and make people believe that I can do it.
“Vision is propelled by the heart and not sight. I wanted to just change the narrative and make a new landmark. So, I just wanted to do something remarkable.”
ALSO READ: Anambra students invent ‘smart walking sticks’ for the blind
“I felt fulfilled. I felt I had laid the foundation for any other visually impaired person coming to Social Work. I know it’s a legacy that I have left at UNN.
“On the flip side, in the Nigerian system, people don’t appreciate bright and intelligent minds. So, the question that pops up in my head is, “What’s next?” I was happy and grateful to God for making it a reality but the phobia of the larger society on how to pay my bills and all that is the situation for me.”