- Deaconess Beyioku-Alase, popularly known as Mama Deaf storms the Deaf Unit of Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Ibadan
- The Deaf woman leader met with the school’s Deaf students and offers items to every single class. From JSS1 to SS3
- The Founder and former President of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) met with the school’s leadership, including the Principals, Heads of Departments (HoDs), and Deaf and hearing teachers of DHH.
- In commemoration of the recent International Women’s Day marked on 8th March 2022, Mama presented several Dr. Tola Odusanya Sign Language Book for the and Deaf gave pep talks to Deaf schoolgirls, urging the girls to believe in themselves despite the challenges posed by their hearing loss.
- The multiple-award-winning 67- year old addresses teachers of DHH, stressing the uniqueness of the teaching profession
- As the Chief Planter of DWAN in all the 6 geopolitical zones, Mama Deaf wants to continue to emancipate and empower the Deaf woman and Deaf girl child nationwide
Mama Deaf stormed one of the busiest, most popular public inclusive secondary institutions in Ibadan, Oyo State to see and address the multitudes of her adopted Deaf children, particularly female schoolchildren.
Methodist Grammar School, Bodija welcomed Deaconess Beyioku-Alase, popularly known as Mama Deaf on the 14th of March, 2022. Mama had gone to say hello and to say a few words to the Deaf female students of the inclusive secondary institution in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
This visit was in commemoration of the International Women’s Day marked annually on the 8th of March.
Followed by a host of Deaf women from South West, the Founder and Former President met with the School’s leadership, including the Principals, Heads of Department, and teachers. Mama presented gift items to the school leaders, then marched onto the school hall to address all the Deaf females.
Methodist Grammar School, Bodija is a public secondary school in Bodija, Oju-Irin, Ibadan. MGSB is a mixed inclusive secondary school designed for hearing, including Deaf and hard of hearing students.
Headed by two Principals and several Vice Principals, the school boasts of two unit schools—Senior and Junior and is a host of some of the most famous, most successful Deaf people in Nigeria, and in the diaspora.
Current NP, NNAD, Chidi Olujie, US-based Nigerian Brume Mofe-Damijo, and a bunch of other successful Deaf people had graduated from the Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Ibadan.
Speaking to large female Deaf students in the School hall, Mama Deaf and her entourage touched addressed students.
“My deafness will not stop me from success. Say it after me, again and again.” Mama had begun her address.
“You are not supposed to beg because you are Deaf. You can become anything, anybody if you are willing to work hard for it.”
Mama told the audience that she had overcome her deafness. “After over decades of being Deaf and you look at my accomplishments, it is fair to admit that I have overcome. What again.” Mama stated.
“I want you to believe in your ability to change the world. If you stay away from boys and spend quality time with your studies, the sky is your limit, Mama said to applause.
Mama Deaf presented Dr. Tola Odusanya Sign Language books to all the classes in the school. This was aimed at promoting the richness of sign language in the Deaf school community.
Raji Ade Oba introducing Mama Deaf to the Audience
Mama meets with School Principal
L-R: Mama Deaf, Principal Adaramodu, and Host Raji Ade Oba in a photograph after a brief meeting
Mama Deaf with several members of DEaf Unit teachng staff
Host Raji Ade Oba presenting an item to Deaconess Beyioku-Alase, popularly known as Mama Deaf
Mama Deaf with a Principal (Senior School)
in an address to teachers of DHH, mama said that the teaching profession is the most beautiful profession in the world. “This is the best profession in the world. I do not know of any other profession where you could make the greatest difference than teaching.”
Earlier, the Woman Leader has, at a separate meeting, met with the school principals. Mama expressed her gratitude for the compassionate and inclusive leadership of the school. “Thank you for what you do for my Deaf children here.”.Mama told Principal Adaramodu of the Junior School.
Fervent prayers were exchanged between Mama Deaf and the School leaders.
Career-wise, Mama Deaf is a retired Civil Servant. She was a professional social worker for the Lagos State Ministry of Sports and Social Services. She was the former Chairperson of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities Policy Advocacy Initiative (DPAI). She is a Member Governing Board of LASODA. She is the National Women Leader of APC PWDs Support Group appointed by President Mohammadu Buhari.
Mama Deaf has won numerous, countless awards and recognitions from Gallaudet University, Washington DC, USA, Kingdom of Sweden Embassy, Access Ability Model, National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, Lagos State Government, to mention but a few.
The Deaf Deaconess, at 68, remains actively and persistently committed to ensuring full, unadulterated inclusion of us all, and to improving individual’s socio-economic opportunities in a world that’s largely designed for the nondisabled.
According to the Host, Raji Ade Oba, who had invited Mama Deaf to the institution, “the enormity of Mama’s selfless mark on the most vulnerable Deaf women and girls in Nigeria, as well as her peculiar–novel style of inspiration—for our Deaf women in particular–is truly legendary. She’s a cool woman with a big heart. Despite Mama’s age, Mama Deaf has tirelessly traveled and worked to make life better for every single Deaf girl in Nigeria. With a passion for uplifting women and humanity, the National Women Leader of APC PWD Support Group has tirelessly planted several Deaf Women Associations in all the Zones of Nigeria.
The Deaf School Community of Methodist Grammar School expressed its extraordinary pride in Mama Deaf for her exemplary leadership and her commitment to the betterment of every Deaf girl and woman in the community, regardless of who we are, who we worship, including our ethnicity, ideas, and political affiliation.