- Deaf Teachers Association of Nigeria (DTAN) has circulated a letter to Nigeria’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies to learn and acquire sign language.
- Used to be seen as the language of the deaf, the association wants our servicemen to be fluent signers to avoid unwarranted assault and battery against deaf persons- an event that has gotten a lot of attention in recent months.
- Clearly and compellingly-written, the letter urges the Army, in particular to incorporate sign language into its language policy.
- The Deaf Teachers Association has volunteered to train servicemen to learn sign language.
Deaf Teachers Association of Nigeria (DTAN) has asked the Nigerian Military to include the sign language in its Language Policy that already comprises the three major languages in Nigeria: Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba.
The association strongly requests that sign language be learned and acquired by the servicemen for smooth communication between them and the deaf.
“There have been, in recent times, increased cases of unjustified assault and battery against deaf persons by the army and the police.”, DTAN argues.
Below is the letter written by the association and signed by its Secretary General, Bolarinwa Ompariola.
From DTAN Headquarters,
3 December 2018
Requiring our Law Enforcement Agencies to Learn and Acquire Sign Language
The most solemn responsibility of the state is to defend its citizens, preserve the sanctity of human lives, as well as safeguard properties. Although often enforced through coercive means, still, the state, through various machinery, must institute a culture that is fair, balanced and compassionate.
Our law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Military and the Police Forces, essential tools of the state, must carry out their responsibilities with utmost regards for the rule of law, but also with a consideration for culture and diversity of the citizenry they so serve.
In recent times, the public attention was focused on a radical directive by the Army ordering soldiers and servicemen to learn the three major languages in Nigeria: Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. A little befuddling and radical this directive may be, it’s an innovative development. It is even more noteworthy at a time when we need to bring everyone together regardless of cultural differences.
The increased cases of theft, violence, and attacks in Nigeria continue to be one of the major sources of concern for us all. Consequently, in the maintenance of law and order by our law enforcement personnel, Deaf persons remain some of the most vulnerable people, as they are often unjustifiably manhandled- treated badly long enough before it is discovered that they are unable to hear, and perhaps make a clear and coherent speech in the defense of themselves.
At a time of uncertainties and widespread imbalances, communication and self-assertiveness are the most effective tools for citizens to self-preserve and self-secure. However, leaving out hundreds of thousands of deaf individuals who are unable to hear and be heard through a well-developed manual language not only compromises our supposed democratic values in ensuring the rights of all persons regardless of station or status, but, importantly, compromises our capacity to protect our citizens from harm- our most essential responsibility as state.
For the long-term security of our nation, we call on the Federal government of Nigeria to expand its Language policy in the Army and require that all law enforcement agencies be trained to be fluent signers.
The Deaf Teachers Association of Nigeria (DTAN) is more than qualified and willing to take up this responsibility of sign language training, including helping the armed forces with peculiar knowledge of recognizing deaf citizens and responding to events appropriately, as opposed to assault and battery.
Thank you.