By Com. Yusuf Kumo
The Gombe State Association of the Deaf has organized it’s 3-days maiden AGM/Public Sensitization Rally from 17-19 December, 2019 in an attempt to create awareness about the Deaf and press home their demands for the full integration of Deaf in Gombe State.
The Chairman of the Association, Musa Jauro Julde during the opening ceremony gave a brief description of the Association saying “The Gombe State Association of the Deaf (GOMSAD), is an umbrella body of the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Gombe State established since 1996 comprising the eleven (11) LGA Branches Association of the Deaf over the eleven (11) LGAs, and is an advocacy body on the rights of the deaf in Gombe State, ensuring the general welfare of the Deaf people through protecting, promoting and advancing the rights of the Deaf”.
The association however advocated for the rights of the Deaf in the Society and demanded a full integration for equal opportunities in the areas of employment, empowerment programmes, education, health, and the host of others as the major challenges faced by Deaf people in Gombe State.
They prioritized sign language rights for the deaf in all circles of opportunities, emphasizing that with sign language a deaf person can hear and become an equal member of the society and that Deaf persons, if given opportunity can do anything except hear.
Meanwhile, Isa, Abdullahi Muhammad, the Ministry of Higher Education Gombe State represented by Mrs. Aisha assured the Association of the ministry’s readiness to support the Deaf and Persons with Disability in area of education which is great priority of the present administration of his Excellency Alh. Mohammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The National Human Rights Commission speaking at the event said any kind of discrimination or human rights violations faced by any members of the Association should be reported to their office located at the Federal Secretariat. They reiterated they are ready to defend, fight and promote the rights of the Deaf and PWDs in the state and the country at large.
Chidi Topaz Olujie, the National Secretary-General of the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) represented by Mr Ebuka Oke-ke during the opening ceremony congratulate the good Deaf people and leaders of Gombe State for organizing this important Maiden Awareness. He said “We at the national body have come to identify with you and congratulate you for keeping the spirit of commitment in delivering and promoting the rights of the Deaf in the Nigerian society”
“Today as we all gathered together, I want to assure us that we are in the right path to achieve our fundamental human rights in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create equal opportunity for the Deaf in Gombe State” Mr. Chidi added.
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