By Agbo Christian Obiora
Makurdi, Benue State — The disability community in Benue State is raising its voice for equal access and inclusion, as stakeholders, rights advocates, and government representatives gathered in Makurdi for a crucial engagement meeting to deliberate on the implementation and domestication of the Disability Rights Act in the state.
At the heart of the dialogue was a passionate call for the provision of sign language interpreters in public institutions, including hospitals, courts, police stations, and other essential service points, to bridge the communication gap that continues to isolate deaf persons and deprive them of critical services.
The call was made by Ezekiel Eladoga, the cluster head of the Nigerian Association of the Deaf, Benue State Chapter, during the one-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting organised by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) under the Disability Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development (D-RAPID) initiative.
Eladoga, speaking with emotion and clarity, highlighted the daily communication struggles faced by deaf persons when accessing healthcare, justice, and security services due to the absence of sign language interpreters. He described the situation as a silent barrier to dignity and participation, urging that the state’s disability law be amended to include mandatory employment of sign language interpreters in both public and private institutions.
“We are not asking for luxury; we are asking for access,” Eladoga said. “The absence of interpreters means we are often left unheard in hospitals when our lives depend on it, or misunderstood in police stations and courts where justice is at stake. The law must recognize our language—sign language—as a bridge to our rights.”
The event, which drew a cross-section of stakeholders including government officials, legal experts, disability advocates, civil society organizations, and the media, served as a platform to brainstorm solutions for improved disability inclusion in governance, infrastructure, service delivery, and legislation.
In her welcome address, Brenda Anugwon, a representative of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, outlined the objectives of the D-RAPID initiative, noting that the project is designed to build stakeholder synergy, increase awareness, and promote implementation of disability-inclusive policies.
“This engagement is timely and essential. We want to clearly identify the challenges persons with disabilities face in Benue and work together on practical, sustainable solutions. It is not just about talking—it’s about commitment to action,” Anugwon stated.
Daniel Ogabiela, the Programme Coordinator for NWTF, emphasized that the D-RAPID project is focused on the domestication and implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act at the state level. According to him, the engagement was the first of several steps aimed at building a shared understanding and roadmap for inclusive development in Benue.
“We are just beginning to fully grasp the realities faced by persons with disabilities in Benue—issues like the absence of interpreters, inaccessible public buildings, and lack of representation. This meeting is to chart a way forward so these gaps are addressed systematically,” Ogabiela said.
In a compelling presentation on “Barriers and Opportunities for Disability Inclusion,” legal advocate Barr. Ori Onum decried the widespread non-compliance of public institutions with the Disability Act, especially the failure to incorporate accessibility features in building designs and the refusal to meet the 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities, as stipulated in the national legislation.
“There is ability in every disability. The rights of persons with disabilities are not negotiable. It is unacceptable that government offices are still built without ramps or accessible toilets, or that job adverts are made without any consideration for inclusion,” Barr. Onum emphasized.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of political will, budgetary allocation, and institutional frameworks such as the establishment of a State Disability Commission, to monitor, enforce, and guide implementation.
Bem Anshe, Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Persons with Special Needs, commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for the attention given so far to disability-related issues. However, he stressed that much more needed to be done and reiterated the community’s long-standing request for the establishment of the Benue State Disability Commission, which would function as the central coordinating body for disability affairs in the state.
“Governor Alia has shown commitment, but we need a dedicated institution to drive disability inclusion forward. A commission will ensure consistency, oversight, and sustainability of all interventions meant for our community,” Anshe said.
The engagement concluded with renewed commitments from all participants to support the full domestication and implementation of the Disability Rights Act in Benue State. Stakeholders agreed to form a working group to compile all the suggestions, challenges, and recommendations raised during the meeting and present them to the State House of Assembly and the Executive Council for legislative and administrative action.
As the disability community in Benue continues to rise with one voice, this engagement marks an important step in the long journey toward recognition, inclusion, and justice for all persons with disabilities. For the deaf community in particular, the dream of walking into a hospital, court, or police station and finding a sign language interpreter is no longer a distant hope—it is a right whose time has come.
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