The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has noted that the ministry will continue to support all persons with Disabilities PWD and the Deaf to ensure that their inclusion, rights and participation in the society are given utmost priority.
Sadiya made this known in Abuja on Wednesday 23rd September, 2020, when she held a briefing to mark the International Week of the Deaf and International Day of Sign Languages.
She said that the ministry has been in the forefront of ensuring that the Nigeria Disability Commision is established to assuage the yearnings and aspirations of all persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
“The purpose of the International Day of Sign Languages among others is to promote linguistic identity and culture of deaf people all over the world.
“Let me assure you that the Federal government, through the ministry, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all persons with disabilities in Nigeria are carried along in governance by removing all barriers which before now posed as hindrance for effective functioning of persons with disabilities”, Sadiya added.
Earlier, the Secretary General of the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf, Chidi Topaz Oluije thanked the minister for marking the day in Nigeria as ten million persons are said to be deaf according to the World Health Organization.
“According to WHO, ten million persons are Deaf in Nigeria. This shows that Sign Language is important for us to be able to mix with both the Deaf and the Hearing world and participate in politics, health or any sector in the country”, he noted.
The celebration stems from the United Nations Resolution A/RES/72/161 adopted in 2017 which recognizes September 23rd as the International Day of Sign Languages. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights’.
The event will be marked from 26th-30th September, 2020 by all stakeholders in Kano.
NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE
SA MEDIA