A Centre for the Blind, built in Kaduna, northern Nigeria at a cost of 80,000 Nigerian pounds, was officially opened on December the first by the Nigerian Chief of Staff, Major-General Hassan Usman Katsina.

The Centre, first of its kind in the country, will give vocational training to Nigerian soldiers who lost their sight during the civil war.

SYNOPSIS: A Centre for the Blind in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, built by the army at accost of 80,000 Nigerian pounds, has been officially opened by the Nigerian Chief of Staff Major-General Hassan Katsina. The centre, first of its kind in the country, will cater for soldiers who lost their sight during the civil war.

Major-General Katsina made a tour of the grounds and buildings, in the company of the staff. The centre, planned initially to accommodate more than 100 inmates, is to offer vocational training to blind soldiers so that they can once more take their place in the community.

General Katsina, in his speech at the opening, paid tribute to those throughout Nigeria who had contributed to the Armed Forces Comfort Fund during the civil war. Money from the Fund was drawn upon for building part of the Centre.

The speeches over, Major-General Katsina performed the formal opening, cutting a ceremonial ribbon.

The buildings in the Centre consist of dormitory blocks, a common rome, classrooms, a dining hall, a library, a well-equipped workshop for training the blind, and staff quarters. The training programme will include crafts, farming and livestock-keeping. The centre is only part of the large Nigerian army programme of re-settlement and rehabilitation of soldiers disabled or handicapped as a result of the war.