DWAN IS A GIFT TO ALL DEAF WOMEN IN NIGERIA NOW AND IN THE FUTURE -Deaconess Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase

Meet Deaconess Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase, widely known as ‘Mama Deaf’. A hard working and industrious Deaf mother of four.  She’s a trained social worker by the Lagos State Ministry of Sports and Social Services. She is the founder and national President of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) . She is based in Lagos State but originally from Ogun state.

In this interview with our INN reporter, she tells us of DWAN, its inception and many challenges before becoming a renowned Deaf women Association to reckon with.

Excerpts…

Can we know you?

I am Deaconess Beyioku-Alase, a Hard of Hearing person. I hail from Ijaye kunmi in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, but based in Lagos.

I am a trained social worker by the Lagos State Ministry of Sports and Social Services and a member of BOARD of Trustees, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA),

I am the founder of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria,(DWAN) and the Chairperson of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Lagos State Chapter, Vice-Chairperson, Disability Policy Advocacy Initiative.

How many children do you have?

To the glory of God, I am a mother of four children

Can you please tell us about DWAN?

The vision to start DEAF Women In Nigeria (DWIN) was borne in Jos, Plateau State in June 2001 when l was opportune to attend World Deaf Leadership Conference. At that time, there was no Deaf women only association in Nigeria. Ms. Emilia Chukwuma, an American immigrant who was one of the 3 people that came to conduct the conference encouraged me to organize DEAF women in Nigeria and report back to her, which I did with no financial obligations or otherwise. So on September 4th, 2001 the first meeting of DWIN was held in Lagos and was later incorporated by Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in January 27, 2012 as DEAF WOMEN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (DWAN). To the glory of God, the Association is Matching forward.

Why DWAN?

It is because l have it in mind to give the Association as gift to all Deaf women in Nigeria now and in future.

In 2001 September 4th, DWIN started in Lagos with 33 members and selection of proterm officers took place in the office of ODBM&WIN in Lagos. Everyone of  us were very happy but on the 3rd day, the President that l followed to Jos, Mr. Afolabi Dahunsi told me to stop the association that has been born and named. I refused to stop and l moved the meeting to my rented apartment at Meiran,Lagos in 2002. Luckily for us, my landlord and family are Disability friendly. We continue to meet there and l continue to advocate for Deaf women and girls until one day l went to speak at NNAD Lagos chapter program where MR OMOTOLA OMOTUNLA from Ekiti took the seed to Ekiti to start DWAN Ekiti in his parlour. That is why I always refer to Ekiti as DWAN first born

So coming together of Deaf women story begin to spread like wildfire. In 2005, the first time l entered Abuja, l went to Disability Conference of Late Mr. Abioye ADEBOYE with Morinsola Alesinloye. It was there l met Late Jonathan Tinat and Lucy for the first time. Both of them were very happy meeting me and encourage me to move on. From that time Jonathan always invite me to Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) programs with my women giving us slots. That was how DWIN was able to fly with NNAD to many programs during the life time of Jonathan ( May his gentle and kind soul rest in perfect peace,Amen).

How do you relate with NNAD as long as DWAN is concerned?

DWAN relationship with NNAD is not cordial because NNAD refused to recognize DWAN as independent organization that can’t affiliate with her. Most especially now that NNAD has forced Women leader on us without wings

How?

In 2006, in Umuahia, Abia State during the election of NNAD. It was stated that DWIN must pay Affiliation fees before we can be allowed to participate in election so we checked the money with us which was not up to #10,000 needed so we met some of the participants for contributions. We are able to raise #9,600 which Late Jonathan told us to pay and was given to the Treasurer of that time in the presence of all the Excos and members around. We did the election successfully, l was also member of electoral committee that brought Jonathan/ Sis. Anthonia back for the second term. Unfortunately, Late Jonathan died and Sister Anthonia took over as the President, likewise Mr. Fatai ONIFADE took over from Hajia Amina as Treasurer.

From 2006 after the death of Jonathan, the cordial relationship between DWIN and NNAD changed. No receipt was issued for DWIN, NO Certificate of Affiliation was given. No invitation to programs. Still we continue to run after them and continue to advocate for Deaf women and girls.

DWIN or DWAN, What is the difference?

We started with DWIN– DEAF Women In Nigeria but CAC didn’t accept it during registration so we change the name to DWAN – Deaf Women Association of Nigeria.

Who is/are eligible to be part of DWAN?

DWAN is association of all Deaf women in Nigeria irrespective of tribe, religion, education background etc.
Only requirement is Deaf and a woman or girl from 15 years old for Youth and 18- for women

What is the mission of DWAN to Deaf women in general in the near future?

To advocate for the equalization of opportunities and inclusion of Deaf women and girls in Nigeria, in all aspects of life, as well as empower and protect our rights irrespective of their religious affiliation, Creed, ethnic inclination and educational status against any form of discrimination or gender abuse, forced labour or maltreatment etc in the society.

How would you relate your experience with the Deaf community in USA to that obtained here in Nigeria?

In USA, they are very cooperative and support each other very well unlike what is happening in Nigeria with (PHD) pull him or her down syndrome.
All Nigerian Deafs in USA came together to support the program l went for in their little or big ways

Your advice to PWDs in general, Deaf community in particular?

My advice to all PWDs is to make sure that they go to school and still learn a skill that can give them source of income so that they can live an independent life and ask for their rights without physical fighting. Always embrace dialogue which is the best way to get things done. I don’t want them to see themselves as liabilities but assets

Who is/are your role model?

God Almighty who made all things good; my late mother and Hajia Bola Muse and Hajia Jamilah Hamza

What are your like and dislike?

My Likes are honesty, humility, respect. On the other hand I dislikes lies and liars, gossiping and backbiting

Thank you very much for granting us your previous time.

You are always welcome