Inclusivity/Gender
Lagos association of the deaf advocates inclusion in governance
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
19 Dec 2025 04:08 AM
Alimosho, Lagos – The Chairman of the Alimosho Association of the Deaf (AAD), Mr. Olumide Seidu, has made a passionate appeal for greater inclusion of Deaf individuals in governance, specifically urging the Alimosho Local Government to appoint a Deaf person as Special Adviser on Disability Matters.
The call was delivered during the maiden edition of the Alimosho Deaf Awareness Day, held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat Events Hall.
The event, organized under the theme “With Sign Language, We Are Equal,” aimed to highlight the rights and contributions of the Deaf community while fostering dialogue on their inclusion in societal decision-making processes.
In his welcome address, Seidu emphasized the need for representation, arguing that appointing a Deaf individual to a key advisory role would ensure that the needs and perspectives of persons with disabilities are adequately addressed in local governance.
"Sign language is our voice, and with it, we are equal contributors to society,” Seidu stated, drawing attention to the barriers faced by the Deaf community in accessing public services and participating in civic life.
He cited personal experiences of communication challenges at local health centers, echoing broader concerns raised in recent reports about the lack of inclusive primary healthcare for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The Alimosho Deaf Awareness Day featured a series of activities, including sign language demonstrations, panel discussions, and cultural performances, all designed to raise public awareness and celebrate the richness of Deaf culture.
Attendees included local government officials, community leaders, and representatives from disability advocacy groups, who praised the event as a step toward building a more inclusive Alimosho.
The call for a Special Adviser on Disability Matters aligns with international commitments, such as Article 21 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which mandates the recognition and promotion of sign language rights.
The World Federation of the Deaf has also underscored the importance of such measures in ensuring equality for Deaf individuals globally, a message that resonated throughout the event.
Local government officials present at the event acknowledged the request, with a spokesperson promising to review the proposal and engage further with the AAD.
However, no immediate commitment was made, leaving the Deaf community hopeful yet cautiously optimistic.
The call was delivered during the maiden edition of the Alimosho Deaf Awareness Day, held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat Events Hall.
The event, organized under the theme “With Sign Language, We Are Equal,” aimed to highlight the rights and contributions of the Deaf community while fostering dialogue on their inclusion in societal decision-making processes.
In his welcome address, Seidu emphasized the need for representation, arguing that appointing a Deaf individual to a key advisory role would ensure that the needs and perspectives of persons with disabilities are adequately addressed in local governance.
"Sign language is our voice, and with it, we are equal contributors to society,” Seidu stated, drawing attention to the barriers faced by the Deaf community in accessing public services and participating in civic life.
He cited personal experiences of communication challenges at local health centers, echoing broader concerns raised in recent reports about the lack of inclusive primary healthcare for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The Alimosho Deaf Awareness Day featured a series of activities, including sign language demonstrations, panel discussions, and cultural performances, all designed to raise public awareness and celebrate the richness of Deaf culture.
Attendees included local government officials, community leaders, and representatives from disability advocacy groups, who praised the event as a step toward building a more inclusive Alimosho.
The call for a Special Adviser on Disability Matters aligns with international commitments, such as Article 21 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which mandates the recognition and promotion of sign language rights.
The World Federation of the Deaf has also underscored the importance of such measures in ensuring equality for Deaf individuals globally, a message that resonated throughout the event.
Local government officials present at the event acknowledged the request, with a spokesperson promising to review the proposal and engage further with the AAD.
However, no immediate commitment was made, leaving the Deaf community hopeful yet cautiously optimistic.
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