By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has felicitated with Nigeria’s deaf community as the world marks this year’s International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) with the theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights.”
In a statement by his Director Media and Communications Mr Lanre Oloyede , the SSA stressed that sign language rights must be guaranteed, noting that they are fundamental to the enjoyment of human rights by deaf persons.
Hon. Abba Isa emphasized the need to protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of deaf people and other sign language users, describing sign language as central to their dignity, equality, and human rights.
He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Federal College of Education (Special), Dukku, Gombe State. The institution, when operational, will be responsible for the training of sign language teachers and interpreters, among other key mandates, to strengthen inclusion in education.
“As we mark this year’s Day, we celebrate progress but also acknowledge the challenges ahead. Our goal remains a world where deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere,” he said.
The SSA further revealed that in the coming days, the Tinubu-led government will launch new initiatives in education, skills, employment, and empowerment for the deaf community.
The United Nations General Assembly declared September 23 as the International Day of Sign Languages to raise awareness about the importance of sign language in realizing the human rights of deaf persons.
