Badagry, Lagos State — The Badagry Deaf Association (BDA), on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, held the 4th Edition of its Deaf Awareness Day, themed “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights.”
The event, hosted at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat, marked a pivotal moment in the push for inclusion as government officials, community leaders, NGOs, Associations and advocates united to amplify the voices of the Deaf and broader disability community.
In a landmark commitment, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, announced plans to establish a dedicated office for persons with disabilities (PWDs) within the council secretariat.
“Very soon, you will have your office in Badagry Local Government where you can boldly say you are part of the government,” Hunpe declared. “You will have a place to lodge complaints, advise the government, and ensure your needs are heard and addressed.”
The announcement was hailed as a significant milestone toward institutionalising inclusion and ensuring that all PWDs in Badagry—Deaf and non-Deaf alike—have direct access to government support and services.
Ajande Pascal Viweavo represented Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, youth leader Ajande Pascal Viweavo encouraged the Deaf community not to give up on their aspirations.
“Your talents, dreams, and contributions are a vital part of Badagry’s future,” Ogunlende said. “Disability is not inability. Your silence does not mean weakness—your lives speak loudly of courage, creativity, and strength. To every young person here: never give up, and do not let anyone make you feel less than who you are.”
He further urged families, employers, and community leaders to open doors of opportunity in schools, workplaces, and public services for all persons with disabilities, adding: “Badagry sees you. Lagos State sees you. And the world hears your voice, even in silence.”
Mr Sejoro Ekundayo Chairman of Badagry Deaf Association
In his remarks, Ekundayo Sejoro, Chairman of the Badagry Deaf Association, highlighted persistent challenges facing the Deaf community, including the shortage of sign language interpreters in schools and hospitals, as well as exclusion from government programmes.
“For the Deaf community, sign language is not a privilege—it is a right. Without it, access to education, healthcare, justice, and participation in governance remains incomplete,” Sejoro said.
He called on Badagry’s representatives in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Bonu and Hon. Setonji David, to prioritise disability inclusion by appointing a Senior Special Assistant on Disability Matters. Sejoro also advocated for the establishment of disability desks at the Local Government Secretariat and the Badagry General Hospital to ensure accessible services for all PWDs.
Mrs. Elsie Rose Akerele, founder of the Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home
Echoing the central theme of the event, Mrs. Elsie Rose Akerele, founder of the Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home, stressed that sign language is an essential human right.
“Sign language is not a privilege; it is indeed a right,” she said. “It is a vital tool for education, communication, and participation in society.”
The celebration of Deaf Awareness Day in Badagry underscored the importance of recognizing sign language as a human right while setting a clear agenda for concrete government action—particularly through the establishment of the dedicated office for PWDs and the removal of barriers to equal opportunities for all.
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