Stakeholders in the disability sector have called for the mandatory inclusion of professional sign language interpreters in government programmes and public institutions as a critical step toward inclusive governance in Ogun State.
The call was made on Saturday at the 10th anniversary celebration and Annual General Meeting of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN), Ogun State Chapter, held at the Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. The event was organised under the theme “Sign Language Interpreting: A Human Rights Issue.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman of ASLIN Ogun State, Mr. Seyi Ogunbayo, reflected on the association’s decade-long journey, outlining its milestones, challenges and contributions to promoting accessibility and inclusion for persons with hearing impairment.
Ogunbayo urged the Ogun State Government to institutionalise the use of professional sign language interpreters across ministries, departments and agencies, stressing that inclusive governance cannot be achieved without accessible communication.
The Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Babatunde Tella, described the anniversary as a celebration of vision, resilience and a decade of service to humanity. He noted that sign language interpreters play a vital role in amplifying the voices of persons with hearing impairment who have long been excluded from public discourse.
The lawmaker explained that his sponsorship of a motion at the Ogun State House of Assembly mandating the presence of sign language interpreters at state-organised programmes was aimed at promoting equal participation and inclusion.
“That motion was not just a legislative success; it was a moral statement that every citizen in Ogun State matters,” Tella said.
He assured ASLIN of sustained legislative backing to strengthen accessibility in schools, hospitals, courts, emergency services and community engagements across the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ogun State Association of the Deaf, Mr. Salami Rasheed, said effective advocacy for the deaf community depends on the availability of professionally trained sign language interpreters.
Rasheed stressed that meaningful human rights advocacy cannot be achieved without sign language, urging interpreters to uphold professionalism, fairness and dedication in service delivery.
Guest lecturer, Mr. Sina Adefolahan, described sign language interpreting as a fundamental human rights issue, noting that denying access to sign language amounts to denying deaf persons equal citizenship and recognition of their cultural identity.
He added that while several countries have legally recognised sign languages, Nigeria must continue to strengthen legal and policy frameworks to fully protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ololade O. Nnamani, in her presentation titled “Speech-Language Pathologists as Determiners of the Human Right to Diversity in Communication for School Children in Ogun State,” advocated inclusive communication strategies within the education sector.
She highlighted linguistic and neurodiversity among children and called for stronger enforcement of laws prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities.
In her goodwill message, the wife of the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Olori Aminat Matemilola, urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance of diversity.
The event also featured the inauguration of journalist Prince Dimeji Kayode Adedeji as an honorary member of ASLIN Ogun and the installation of Olori Aminat Matemilola as the association’s matron.
Highlights of the programme included the induction of eight new members and the cutting of the 10th anniversary anniversary cake.
Join Inclusive News Network WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.