…Says public, private channels should comply
The Federal Government says it will direct the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, (NBC), to compel public and private television stations to feature sign language interpreters during their major news presentations.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this yesterday in Abuja, at the 2021 Annual Lecture of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
The lecture, which had the topic “The Imperative of Disability Inclusion in National Transformation” was organised by the FRCN, in conjunction with the Albino Foundation and the European Union, (EU).
The decision by the minister was sequel to a complaint by a participant at the event, Monsurat Abdulwasiu, that the deaf had been excluded by the media.
A former leader of the Abuja Association of the Deaf, Women’s Wing, Ms. Abdulwasiu, who spoke through a sign interpreter, said that they suffered exclusion because they just stared at pictures during news hour without knowing what they were saying.
Responding, Mohammed said: “I am very touched by the contribution of the young lady who said there is a need for sign interpreters during the network news and other major news belts.
“I am going to ask the NBC to direct all our television stations to ensure that there are sign interpreters in all television stations during their major news hours. This will not apply to only the NTA, whether public or private television stations, they must comply with the directive.
“This directive will work both ways; it means the complaint of exclusion will be tackled and the persons with disability of hearing will also be included in programmes and policies of the government.
Earlier, the Director-General of FRCN, Mansur Liman, said the discrimination being suffered by more than 29 million population of Persons Living with Disabilities in the country was unacceptable.
He said his organisation believed in the inclusion and dignity of Persons Living with Disabilities which informed the theme of the lecture, to proffer solutions by experts.
The founder of the Albino Foundation, Jake Epele, said the time has come for the PWDs to take the space with the openings given to them by the Federal Government, adding that a lot more was needed to be done.
