Sign Languages Day: Kogi Deaf Community Demands Greater Role In Governance
By JOANNA ILUSANMI
Stakeholders Seek Wider Inclusion
MEMBERS of the deaf community in Kogi State have called for greater inclusion in governance and public services, saying communication barriers continue to limit their access to healthcare, education, justice, employment and vital public information.
They made the call in Lokoja on Wednesday as stakeholders marked the 2026 International Day of Sign Languages, designated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote the human rights of deaf people.
The 2026 observance is themed “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights.”
The stakeholders said meaningful inclusion would require governments and public institutions to make information accessible through sign language and create opportunities for deaf persons to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Communication Barrier in Healthcare
Mr. Shola Anifowose, founder of Lokoja School for the Deaf and Special Needs and Principal of Mopa School for the Deaf, identified communication as one of the biggest challenges confronting deaf persons.
He said many deaf people struggle to obtain important information from television, healthcare facilities and other public institutions because communication is not sufficiently adapted to their needs.
Anifowose particularly raised concerns about healthcare consultations, noting that communication difficulties could affect both the quality and privacy of medical care.
He explained that dependence on interpreters could also create privacy concerns for patients who would rather communicate directly with their healthcare providers.
Education & Justice Also Affected
According to him, access to specialised education remains another major challenge because schools for deaf students are often located far from families and can be expensive to attend.
He also advocated greater opportunities for deaf persons to become lawyers and other professionals who can directly address issues affecting their community.
“Only those who wear the shoe know where it pinches,” he said, stressing the need for greater representation of deaf persons within the justice system.
Anifowose further called for stronger enforcement of disability laws, particularly in government institutions, arguing that effective implementation would encourage broader compliance.
Call for Political Representation
Mrs. Ayodele Anifowose, Principal of Lokoja School for the Deaf and Special Needs, also identified communication barriers as a major source of exclusion.
She said deaf persons were sometimes left out of public events because crucial information was not provided through sign language.
She called for opportunities for deaf people to occupy political and leadership positions and participate directly in decisions affecting their community.
Similarly, Mr. Dan Sunday, a teacher at the school, said deaf persons frequently struggled to benefit from public events and television programmes because of inadequate communication access.
“Many times, I will be at an occasion or watching television and no information is gathered; I gain nothing because of lack of communication,” he said.
Sunday also said stereotyping could further limit participation, even when interpreters were available.
Stakeholders Demand Equal Access
The respondents urged governments at all levels and other stakeholders to strengthen accessibility measures and ensure that deaf persons can enjoy their rights on an equal basis with other citizens.
The United Nations recognises sign languages as fully fledged natural languages and highlights their importance in ensuring the full realisation of human rights for deaf people.
