By Adewale Adeyanju (INN Reporter)
Parents and Guardians of the deaf girl child have been charged to show more love and do all they can to aid discovery, harnessing and maximizing of talents of the child towards a successful adult life”.
The charge came from Ms. Funmilayo Obasa, Executive Director, Deaf-Girl Child Initiative (DGIC) during a musical concert held on Thursday 13 April, 2023 at Florets School, Ogun State.
Mrs Funmi reiterated that the Deaf-Girl child has much potential, which, discovered and harnessed will lead to a successful life.
She further cautioned parents against showing preference to the boy child and non-disabled children at the expense of the deaf girl child. She rather encouraged equal show of love.
According to the director, parents should identify with their deaf girl child by learning how to communicate in sign language. She observed that sign language brings out the best of self expression in the deaf girl child.
Ms Obasa laments that in a society notorious for paternalism and preference for the male child, the deaf girl child suffers neglect to the extent that some are hired off as house maids.
She said: “the deaf girl child has unique talents too and they need encouragement and motivation in order to discover what they are good at.
She particularly emphasized on the deaf girl child with unique musical talents but lack requisite knowledge on making a success of those talents. This, according to her, is one reason for organizing the musical concert.
“The musical concert was staged to draw attention to the plight of the deaf girl child and to showcase ability in disability by providing a platform for expressing their talents in music and dancing.”
At the concert, it was interesting watching deaf persons adopt a unique approach to singing in sign language as opposed to vocally.
Highlights from the event included a motivational speech by Mrs. Joy Bolarin (Jibore) Founder/President of Jibore Foundation, talent hunt, games, and awards for winners.
Interesting side attractions were various singing and dancing performances by deaf artistes. The Divine praise team – a deaf gospel musical group led by Mrs. Omolafe Bukola sang about ‘God’s mercy”. The performance of the group left audience in tears with many wondering how deaf persons can sing so joyfully.
Other attractions included choreographic performance by children. A Blind member of Ogun State Disability Community – Akinyemi Adegbemi Jelili chanted an “Ewi” (Yoruba Poems) titled: No condition is permanent.
Sitting as judges for the dance contests were Mr. James Samuel, CEO of Seams Consult – a seasoned dance choreographer, dramatist, trainer and sign language interpreter, Mrs. Bukola Fakunle-Eleshin, National Social Welfare Officer, Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD); Mr. Adebisi Tokunbo Mustapha, CEO May 19 Events/Production, Ayoba FM Ado-Ekiti and Mr. Adelami Adesanya, CEO DELA Republic, Abeokuta.
Four finalists – Seun Lawal (4th place), Ganiyat Ajakaiye (3rd place), Kehinde Ogunde (2nd place), and Kelvin Mathani (1st position) emerged from the Dance competition. Each of the contestants received prizes: standing fan, pillow cushions, SMS phone and a set of china cups.
The organizer appealed to sponsors to bankroll activities and projects of the disability NGOs as financial constraints often prevent them from implementing most of their projects.
She reiterated readiness to create impact that will propel the deaf girl child to prominence in the near future.