Adeosun Ayomide Oluwaseun, a 20-year-old ND2 Mass Communication student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, is rebuilding his life after losing his right eye in a domestic accident that ended his childhood dream of becoming a soldier.
Oluwaseun, who is also a talented talking-drum player, lost his sight at the age of 10 on Sunday, November 20, 2016, after a nail struck his eye while he was trying to repair a faulty door in his family’s apartment in Papalanto, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Speaking in an interview, he recalled that the injury initially appeared minor. “My parents thought it was nothing serious because there was no bleeding and I didn’t feel pain,” he said. “It was about a week later, while preparing for school, that I discovered I couldn’t see with my right eye.”
Despite visiting several hospitals and places of worship in search of help, doctors later confirmed that the damage was irreversible and advised the removal of the eye to prevent further complications. “We were told to operate immediately because it was affecting my brain,” he said, adding that his family could not afford an artificial eye recommended to prevent facial disfigurement.
Adapting to life with visual impairment has been particularly challenging at OGITECH, where Oluwaseun says navigating campus and handling administrative tasks remain difficult without assistance. He explained that routine activities such as submitting files and meeting deadlines often take a toll on him physically and emotionally.
“Moving around campus is stressful for me, but I don’t have a choice,” he said. “I know what I want to achieve, so I keep pushing myself, even when it’s exhausting.”
Following the incident, Oluwaseun turned more strongly to music, especially playing the talking drum, while also committing himself to education as a means of self-empowerment. He believes schooling is essential to expressing himself confidently and advancing his musical career. “Without education, it will be very difficult to get to the top,” he noted.
He also spoke about the stigma he faces, revealing that he often wears dark glasses on campus to avoid attention, even though they make it harder for him to see. “I use them to avoid murmuring and too many eyes on me,” he said, adding that he only uses his medically recommended glasses during examinations.
Oluwaseun is now appealing to the Ogun State Government for support, particularly with school fees and improved facilities for students living with disabilities. He said many academic buildings lack basic provisions that would allow physically challenged students to move around independently.
Reflecting on his lost ambition, he said his desire to become a soldier ended after the injury. “I was told I couldn’t be accepted because of my disability, so I had to let go,” he said, expressing hope that greater support would help others in similar situations pursue their dreams.
