The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. James Lalu has promised to harmonize different sign languages in Nigeria and develop Nigeria owned sign language for a better understanding of Deaf people in Nigeria.
He disclosed this when he played a special guest at the press conference after a football game organized by Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) in commemoration of International Day of Persons with disabilities(IDPD) on Saturday in Abuja.
The recognition of sign language should be the first project of the commission, we will look into the different sign languages, harmonize them to come up with one indigenous sign language, the minister is already aware of it and will help get approval for it, he said .
He also added that sign language is very important in Nigeria because we have over 9 million Deaf people in Nigeria, they can not afford to be neglected and they have contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.
There are many talents Nigerians with disabilities and as such, they should be carried along in all sphere of life.
He thanked Mr. President for not resting since the inception of COVID-19 and for ensuring that PWDs are mainstreamed in all interventions, he established the National Commission for Persons with disabilities as a follow up to the Act he signed into law early 2019.
He said that the ball is now on our hands (the PWDs) and we need to pay it well by working in unity to achieve our common goals.
He promised that the commission will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that they develop post-COVID-19 programmes for PWDs to continue the good work, the minister of Humanitarian affairs have done in the area of reaching out PWDs during COVID-19.
“Going by the demand by Deaf Community on data collection, the commission is committed to it and have develop modalities for it. It is in the budget of 2021 and it should be done.
He emphasized that the day should be a day PWDs should come together, unite and work together for the good of the community.
“The commission will continue to work with the Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to break barriers and open doors of opportunities for PwDs.
Earlier at the Press conference , The Vice President, Mohammed Haruna, standing in for the President Hon. Chidi Topaz Olujie, described the day as a day for us to celebrate disability as part of human diversity. he used the opportunity to unveil what they have to offer as an association.
Recognizing that sign language is the primary language of the deaf, their pride, and identity. The deaf need the support of every one including government and corporate world to help and advance their rights at all levels.
Speaking further, he appreciated the President for signing the disability bill into law and also constituting a commission with the boards and appointment of Executive Secretary.
He enlightened the general public of their efforts to ensure “building back better” of the Nigerian Deaf Community as part of their efforts in post COVID=19 world:
Data collection, Employment, Video Relay Services, Training and Empowerment, Official recognition of Nigerian Sign Language among other needs
He called on the support of the government, CSOs, Media, Stakeholders among others to actualize and propagate the advocacy to impact the lives of the Deaf and People with disabilities in general.
Watch videos of the Press Conference
