Sokoto blind teen seeks support to realize dream
Remember the six-year-old boy, Umar Mohammed, whose eyes were plucked out by suspected ritualists on October 31, 2006 in Sokoto? Daily Trust reports on how he is faring.
Umar may have lost his sight, but he has a vision. He wants to secure admission at the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo to further his education. Also, the hopeful youngster has a burning desire of becoming a lawyer.
“I want to become a lawyer so I can assist other people like me who are lessprivileged and in distress, looking for support and help,” he declared.
Umar lives a positive life like other children his age despite his predicament. He strolls around unaided and plays football, mainly goalkeeping.
“I do keep very well and my team records successes on many occasions,” he delightedly revealed.
Umar is also popular among his friends who would often go to his house and invite him for outings.
However, he faces another challenge. He experiences an endless flow of tears which he uses a handkerchief to wipe away frequently. He has been to a hospital and applies the medication prescribed which has minimized the tears.
Surprisingly, through all his travails, Umar Mohammed has not gotten any support from either individuals or government. The orphan now sits idle at home; except for extra classes he attends in the area to sharpen his English Language.
His eldest brother, Nasir Mohammed, under whose care Umar is, said after the death of their mother, they took turns to ensure Umar completed his secondary school.
“Initially, it was quite challenging but with Allah, we surmounted the challenges. I am a mason, with a wife and five children to take care of, and there is Umar who very much needs my support,” he said. “Our major concern now is how to get sponsorship for Umar to go to Federal College of Education Oyo to further his education and also get someone who can make his stay at the institution easier as a blind student in an unfamiliar environment. We really need some support to enable Umar realize his dream.”