Deaf Persons Besiege NASS, Demands Passage Passage Of Sign Language Bill

Members of the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) on Monday besieged the entrance to the National Assembly, demanding the passage of the Nigerian Sign Language Bill which seeks to promote equality, inclusion and access to essential services for deaf persons in the country.

This was the highpoint of a peaceful rally which started from the Millennium Park, Maitama to the National Assembly in commemoration of the International Day of the Deaf and International Day of Sign Languages.

Addressing journalists, the National President of NNAD, Haruna Muhammad Tsafe, said the rally was organised to advocate the official recognition of Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) and the establishment of a Nigerian Sign Language Council to regulate and standardise sign language communication in the country.

“This week is to mark the Internal Day for the Deaf and International Day for Sign Language globally; today we in Nigeria are celebrating to promote and advocate inclusivity for the deaf through the recognition of the Nigerian Sign Language.

“We are on this peaceful rally to the National Assembly to find out the status of the bill; we are peaceful but if National Assembly refuses to pass the bill, we will resort to protest.

“We have requested for the official recognition of the Nigerian Sign Language that would lead to the establishment of the Nigerian Sing Language Council which will regulate and standardise communication inclusion for the deaf.

“We often say Nigeria is the giant of Africa, we have to lead by example, Nigeria is a leading state on the continent; if the bill is passed in Nigeria, many other African counties will do the same,” he said.

Muhammad called on the Nigerian government as signatories to the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the African Disabilities Proptocol to comply with the Disability Act.

“We ask government to accept, adopt and rectify our NSL bill which covers every area of our needs like access to communication, employment, health and other social services,” he said.

According to him, countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda had taken steps to recognise and regulate sign language, urging Nigeria to demonstrate leadership by following suit.

Muhammad noted that the official recognition of Nigerian Sign Language would strengthen access to communication, employment, healthcare, education and other social services for deaf persons.

He called on the Federal Government to fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the African Disability Protocol, as well as implement the provisions of the Disability Act.

Muhammad applauded efforts to provide sign-language interpreters at public events, but said such initiatives needed to be backed by legislation to ensure sustainable inclusion across all sectors.

Muhammad also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for efforts to promote the participation of deaf persons in the electoral process.

He urged the government to improve the quality of education in schools for deaf persons, noting that deaf Nigerians had attained master’s and doctoral degrees and were capable of contributing significantly to national development.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Isa assured the community of President Tinubu administration’s commitment to engaging stakeholders across sectors in the decision-making process, particularly on issues affecting persons with disabilities.

Isa explained that the government had introduced several social intervention programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to benefit vulnerable groups, including members of the deaf community.

He described sign language as an important gateway to education, information, communication and understanding, adding that the presidency would work with the National Assembly for the passage of the sign language bill.

Isa urged stakeholders, organisations and individuals to join forces with the administration to address the concerns of Nigerians with disabilities generally.