In the interview with Dr. Andrew Gani-Kilama, the Visioner, you will be reading about how you can be of help to the blind community all over the country through the Knowledge for the Blind Initiative, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Can you tell us briefly about yourself, your place of birth, education and career?

My name is Andrew Gani-Kilama, a Jukun-speaking Nigerian.  I was born in Donga, started life with my parents in Lagos and was moved to Zaria when our father got an appointment to work at Ahmadu Bello University Institute of Health with their Department of Physiotherapy.   I am a graduate of ABU.  I obtained a Second Class Upper Degree in Social Studies, served my country through the NYSC scheme in Akwa Ibom State with the Scripture Union of Nigeria as an Assistant Travelling Secretary.  I started my Professional Career in Rims Securities, during which time I also passed the examination and qualified as a Chartered Stockbroker.  From there I worked in Phillips Consulting where I entered into the world of Management Consulting and gained extensive experience in many sectors of the economy.  Along the line, I qualified as a Chartered Management Consultant with the Nigerian Institute of Management.  I have also worked in the nonprofit sector where I served as Executive Director and member of the Executive Committee of Hope for The Blind Foundation for about 11 years.  I have a Certificate in Project Management from the University of Winneba, Ghana and I’m also an active Citizen Diplomat after receiving a 2002 and 2017 IVLP grant from the US Government to study the US system on NGO and Community Organizations Management and Alumni Association development.  I have received a few awards from IVLP Nigeria, Ophthalmology Society of Nigeria and others in recognition of my contributions to Human Development. The most recent award arrived on July 8, 2023,  it is called Most Supportive Brand Personality of the Decade for the Less Privileged, issued by Top 100 Destination Promotion And Merit In Quality Delivery Of Products And Services.   

How did you get into this initiative called Knowledge for the Blind and how long have you been at it?

As a teenager, I was actively volunteering in the non-profit organisation founded in 1976 by my late father, Dr. Bitrus Gani-Ikilama (1944-2011) - Hope for the Blind Foundation, which was where I cut my teeth in volunteering and community service, starting from 1986 and would spend my holiday periods from university helping out.  Later in my life, I was invited into the Board in 1996.  That showed me from the front lines what it takes to run a nonprofit organisation.  In 2001 I accepted the invitation to apply to serve as Executive Director of the Foundation and was successfully interviewed and screened by the full Committee of the Board.  I had fun serving the community of the blind and growing the Foundation to be a self-sustaining organization, using the model of being a social enterprise.  The US Government in the year 2002 sent me on their IVLP Fellowship and in 2005 Harvard Business School gave me a full scholarship on the Strategic Management Program. These exposures deepened my knowledge base immensely.  One beautiful morning in August 2009, my father got me to give him a promise that I would continue to help people who are blind even after his passing away.  After trying to get him to change the topic from death and not succeeding, I gave him my promise.  After his passing on in 2011, faced with some very frontal challenges, I resigned from Hope for the Blind Foundation and for the next two years plus was focused on making money to pay my bills, in fact, I forgot the promise I had made to my father.  But I serve the living God and he had mercy on me early 2013 when through a Christian Brother, I was reminded of my calling to serve the blind thus Knowledge for the Blind Initiative (KFBI) was founded.  The organization is registered with Kaduna State Government and Corporate Affairs Commission.  It has a functioning Board headed by Prof. Elsie Samaila MFR, a Consultant Ophthalmologist, Administrator and Trainer.  

To the glory of God this month, July 2023, is our 10^th anniversary. 

What are the core mandates of KFBI?

In summary, KFBI exists to give knowledge for quality life to persons living with blindness and their families. We work in the areas of health, education and economic livelihoods. Through these, we shine the light of Christ into their circumstances giving them knowledge for quality life. 

Can you share in brief with our readers some of the achievements of KFBI in the past?

We have trained over 250 wives and daughters of blind beggars on personal and environmental hygiene.  We have sponsored 35 people to have cataracts surgery.  We have given out over 5,000 books in braille around the country.  We have trained 10 wives and daughters of blind beggars on how to make cupcakes, doughnuts and bread.  This started in May 2023 as part of our FROM BEGGING TO DIGNITY project which will train and graduate 500 of the beneficiaries on how to make small chops using low tech environmentally sustaining equipment.  They are also taught how to think entrepreneurially and start their own small businesses towards raising family wealth and breaking out of the vicious cycle of poverty.  We also have set up a modern braille production unit which makes books and tactile diagrams.  We have supported a few students through Secondary and Tertiary Schools.  One of our Scholars graduated from University of Jos and completed his Youth Service in 2022. 

How do you fund the projects?

Some supporters give us cash, others give books, games equipment and some others support specific activities.  Over the years, we have built strong partnerships that have resulted in our raising resources which have enhanced our impact.  Some corporate bodies like US Embassy Abuja and Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Kaduna have sponsored specific projects like training of journalists and social workers and purchase of equipment for our braille press respectively.  Our office running is paid for by individuals and families that have asked to remain anonymous and we respect their request.  Our Board has been very supportive, giving advice and raising funds, sometimes I am in a position to earn income through giving lectures, writing books and speeches then I am able to chip into the finances of KFBI.  A lady who is a Muslim, once gave a gift of 3 plots of land in a high-brow neighborhood in Kaduna.  NASA USA gave us tactile scientific diagrams out of which we were able to give some to Kaduna State Ministry of Education.  

How has the public reception of your project been so far?

We have had mixed reactions from the public so far.  Those who have experienced eye-related challenges understand the importance of what we do.  Our low vision advisory sessions are attended by people who heard about us, either at a clinic or from a former client or their eye doctor.  Ophthalmologists and social workers around the country refer their patients to us.  We have received support from churches and mosques.  We look forward to welcoming more faith-based partners.  We have 4 KFBI Fellowship Groups we support with resources like Hymn Books, clothes, foodstuff and novels. Torch Trust and RNIB UK and some other Braille Publishers have in the past sent us books in Braille and audio for our library and distribution in Nigeria.  Any moments from now we will be receiving a large consignment of braille Hausa Bibles.  These, as well as our audiobooks, are available to people who are blind or living with low vision.  If any group or persons would like to start Knowledge Fellowship groups in their neighborhood, they can get in touch with us.  

How do you access your target audience? Do you go for them or they come to you?  Either way, what is the procedure?

Some people find us and we find others.  I am a child of a person who was blind. Maybe not the most Famous Nigerian that was blind but definitely the first to complete Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education.  I am not blind like my father was but I’m known by many communities of the blind.  Many of the children of the blind and their parents regard me as a success they want to emulate or their children to be like.  They have either met me or heard about the work I have been doing now for nearly 4 decades.  When I visited the new Chief of the Blind in Jos at the end of 2022, he was so excited he asked me to give him a little time, which was over an hour, so he could call his Council Members to attend the meeting.  We had a very fruitful interaction, during which I got to learn that some had heard stories about the work we do.  One had heard about me in Maiduguri and wondered how he would ever meet such a “big man”.  When he was told of the meeting, he was shocked that I could come sit on the mat with them.  For some of the persons who are blind, they come to find us with specific requests.  Earlier this year, the Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB), Kaduna North Chapter paid us a Courtesy Call, during which they asked for Partnership, Capacity Building and Mentoring.  Others meet us as we go about on our travels.  A parent once saw the logo printed on a T-shirt and through the person wearing the t-shirt who happened to be one of our Community Based Assistants, contacted us to help his 8-year-old son get admission into a school for children who are blind.  Some meet us when we go to Churches or Mosques to share about our work at the front lines, shining the light and love of Christ into the vicious cycle of poverty holding millions of Nigerians who are blind, especially in Northern Nigeria.  

What are your future plans, as  the Lord empowers you with the resources you desire?

Our journey so far is purely by the provision of the Lord.  We are a living testimony of divine provision.  Because the Lord has brought us this far, we know He will provide. We plan to continue the services we are providing.  To deepen the capacity of KFBI to give services, we plan to build one main centre in each geopolitical zone of Nigeria.  Northwest zone will house our braille and audiobook production, to be located in Kaduna.  North central to be located in Jos, will house our livelihoods and access to technology services.  We shall roll out details on these and others as we make progress.  Hopefully, you will be able to attend the dedication services when they come up.  We are looking at Africa as our frontier being that most African countries are facing the same challenge of blindness and its effects of poverty, loss of dignity and loss of economic empowerment among other effects.  Our offices around Africa will be able to provide what we offer in Nigeria through on site provision of rehabilitation, economic empowerment/livelihood training, low vision and counseling services.  Products like books will be produced in Nigeria and shipped out to meet orders from clients.  

What are your contact address, phone numbers, email or website, through which donors can reach you?

Our Headquarters is located inside Rimi Eye Clinic Annex, 11B Rabah Road, Kaduna, Nigeria. Phone number is +234 8177007190. We are also on Facebook and Instagram. Our email is knowledgefortheblind@gmail.com.  Our only account number is GTBank 0170686047.  

Do you have any information, idea or charge you would like to share with the public on the needs and vision of KFBI? 

Blindness is not a communicable disease so supporting KFBI will not lead to your going blind.  Give opportunities to persons that are blind to earn a dignified income.  Invite us to make a presentation to your religious or social group, your company or association.  A major telecom company opened their doors to us in the past as they tried to grow an inclusive workplace and today are better placed to contribute to the development of our country. 

We need our own offices, we need new computers, and we need sponsorships of our projects.  Join our 5,000 KNOWLEDGE SUPPORTERS today.  Each member of the group has committed to giving N5, 000 or more each month.  We have seen some give more.  Some are able to give a lump sum once a year; some others give month by month.  All give happily and reap the blessings in their life as KFBI continues to give knowledge for quality life.  Donate, sponsor, brand, and get involved today.

There are 4 possible reactions to any given situation and especially to disability challenges in another person, according to Dr. Bitrus Gani-Ikilama. The possible reactions are: 

1. Go and beg;

2. I am ashamed of you; 

3. It is not my business; 

4. I will do something.  

We have chosen to do something.  We invite you to do something also to keep this work alive so it can continue to give knowledge for quality life.  Make a donation to them today and set up a standing order with your bank to ensure it is done next month and into the future.  As small drops of water make the ocean, so small, consistent donations keep their services going. Of course, the occasional flood is important.  Maybe one of the readers will be the first to give them a billion. Their account number is published on their social media platforms. Join them on their social media platforms. Let your money work for you to make a difference. Every minute somebody is going blind somewhere. 

By:Countdown