All eyes are glued to what the next executive committee of Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) under Dr. Chidi Topaz Olujie administration would achieve as it plans to build a befitting permanent office accommodation in Abuja tagged “Deaf House.”
The architectural design depicting the physical description of the building plans has already been developed by a specialized committee comprising skilled Deaf engineers called the “Architectural Design Committee” which the current NNAD leadership set up to design the architectural structures of the proposed Deaf House.
Earlier, the NNAD’s president Dr. Chidi Topaz Olujie revealed the sections of the proposed Deaf House which according to him will comprise a guest house, a multi-purpose hall, an office as well as a farmland.
He further stated that the Deaf House would serve as a source of revenue for NNAD as it can generate income for NNAD and empower Deaf men and women.
Its expected that with the ever increasing demand for rented hall in Abuja the multi-purpose hall in the proposed Deaf House would be auctioned and rented to willing customers from time to time at subsidized rate, and the proceeds generated thereof would be an important addition to NNAD’s sources of income.
The Deaf House would also serve as an alternative recreation centre for the Deaf as the NNAD’s president noted, “the Deaf house may comprise a conference room, emergency meeting rooms, and toilets, a large presidential office, as well as office spaces for executives and employees of the organization.”
In addition to the above, the 1200sqm-Space Deaf House is a friendly environment for the Deaf community in Nigeria. The Guest house in the proposed Deaf House would help greatly in preserving huge sum of money the Deaf members visiting Abuja may waste in paying hotels rent. Even though everyone is expected to pay to book a room in the guest house, Deaf customers would pay lesser amount than non-deaf customers, and like the hall, the guest house would also serve as an important source of revenue for NNAD.
Furthermore, another important benefit that may be accrued by the entire Deaf community in Nigeria when the Deaf House finally comes into fruition in the next four years is the existence of an operationalized “Deaf Farm.”
The availability of the farmland in the 200sqm-Space Deaf House may be used to cultivate cash crops, hatch eggs from chickens, rear livestock for meat etc. All these would serve as an important source of income for NNAD.
Its therefore of prime importance for every patriotic member of NNAD to support this lofty initiative championed by the current NNAD leadership under the able guidance of Dr. Chidi/Haruna which are essentially geared towards upgrading the entrepreneurial capacity and capabilities of Deaf Nigerians from all walks of life to achieve self-reliance.