A Deaf youth corper, Kadir Abdulfatai, who was deployed to permanent orientation camp in Kasala karaye, Kano state narrates his harrowing ordeal in the hands of uninformed orientation soldiers who exhibited discriminatory behaviors in his orientation camp in Kano state, INN reports.
In a statement sent to INN, Abdulfatai, batch C serving corps member, narrated how one of the female soldiers in the camp, refused to believe that he was Deaf even though he had signified in Nigerian local sign language that he was Deaf.
“While standing on the parade ground waiting for the training to set up, a female soldier approached me when I was taking my phone from my waist pouch. She spoke to me and I told her that I am deaf ( in Local Sign Language). She refused to believe that I am deaf as if I was pretending to be deaf. I repeatedly told her that I am deaf, but she collected my phone and walked away from me” Abdulfatai explained
As if the first unwarranted embarrassment wasn’t enough, another soldier, this time a male one came to Abdulfatai and started speaking even though he was informed that Abdulfatai was Deaf. The soldier didn’t want to believe and invited one Corper to confirm if Abdulfatai was really a Deaf person.
“After 5 minutes later, a male solider came to me and said something to me, which I couldn’t hear him at all. My mind told me that the female soldier who approached me earlier had reported me to her male colleague. Since I couldn’t understand what he was trying to say to me, I told him that I am deaf to the core. He seemed not to believe me”
“He distanced himself from me and called a hearing corps member, and asked him if it is possible that someone can becomes deaf in life. Unfortunately, I couldn’t notice the response of the corps member to him, but through a wild guess, his respond was positive”, Abdulfatai further explained.
“He (male soldier) again called another corps member and asked him the same question. He replied that he has seen a lot of deaf people and even some of them are his friend. He further said that they communicate in writing and sign language. Both soldiers gave up and handed over my phone to me.”
INN gathered that Abdulfatai was disappointed after such negative experiences, and with the kind of mindsets exhibited by the soldiers referring to it as “nuisance”.
He, however, took the experience as a lesson and advice prospective Deaf Corper to Identify themselves to the authorities as Deaf persons so that they could be given special consideration and recognition.
“However, I have taken it as a lesson and I want to share it as an experience to Deaf graduates, who will serve in a state they will be posted.
Upon your arrival at the NYSC camp, go to the NYSC security unit and identify yourself as deaf to them. Also, introduce yourself to NYSC officials and if possible, to NYSC state coordinator. By doing so, you will be given special consideration and freedom in the absence of a sign language interpreter in the NYSC camp”
“In fact, some NYSC soldiers are ignorant about Deafness. Some of them do not know much about deaf people. I will advise that you inform your platoon officer to make these NYSC soldiers aware that you are deaf, so that you will not be harassed by them.” Abdulfatai advised
Abdulfatai noted that there was also need to create awareness about persons with disabilities living among corpers in the camp and to alert the director general of the camp about the presence of persons with disabilities in camp. He added that special arrangements should be provided for persons with disabilities in camps.
He added further that interpreting services should also be provided to ensure inclusiveness for persons with disabilities.
“As a matter of fact, Deaf corpers are not well catered for to participate in NYSC camp programmes, due to communication barrier. I feel there is the need to make awareness about persons with disabilities camping in the NYSC camp. There is also a need to alert NYSC director general to make directive order to all NYSC officials to give special consideration to persons with disabilities serving in camps”, he opined.
“Yes, the orientation camp usually spends only 3 weeks, and there may be few Deaf corpers in the NYSC camps, but that should not deny them their rights. NYSC should make provision for the service of sign language interpreters for Deaf corpers serving their fatherland in a state they are posted to, especially in the NYSC camp. With this supportive service, they will feel a sense of belonging and equality.” He concluded
3 comments
Yes the boy is deaf,we are in the same platoon
Anyway it’s good for NYSC to have my paper because I could remember during my NYSC camp at the Kano in 2017 I tried to let all the NYSC know the important of sign language interpreter in NYSC gathering but it’s a pity that I relocate to Kwara state and I proceed with my aim that I have to propagate the important of sign language interpreter even I wrote a paper on (Incorporation of Special Needs educator into NYSC for sustainable development of Special Needs Corp Member) which I listed those special needs educator that suppose to include such as
* Sign Language Interpreter for the deaf
* Care giver for the blind and physically Challenged people because of their movement but at the end of the day Zonal inspector and my LGI burry my paper with this am calling upon the Human Rights to assist this special needs people to have better life. Thanks
Adesokan Asimi Adegoke
I recommend your efforts on the paper. It is a welcome development.
But please permit me to ask you some vital questions to put pressure on the said paper here in NYSC Camp Kano.
1. Is it a proposal paper?
2. Was it a hard copy or soft copy?
3. Did you make a presentation on the paper while you were in the NYSC camp?
4. Who did you submit the paper to?
Answers to the above questions are necessary to enable me make a thorough investigation on the paper you are referring. Thanks.