By Editor
A University don and deaf education expert, Professor Julius Ademokoya, has commended the management of Wesley University, Ondo, over what he described as the University giant strides in developing deaf education in Nigeria.
Ademokoya, a Professor of Speech Languages and Special Education, University of Ibadan, also lauded the Methodist Church, Nigeria-owned University over its monumental efforts at developing special education in the country.
The University don spoke in Ondo town, Ondo State on Thursday, while delivering a lecture during an International Conference, organised by the Wesley University Ondo in collaboration with Gallaudet University, based in United State of America.
The deaf education expert, who explained that apart from unspecified numbers of deaf students trained by the Wesley University, the institution has also employed large quantities of Sing Languages Interpreters, the move which he said is highly commendable.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, entitled “Empowering Deaf Learners in Inclusive Education, in Nigeria, Matters Arising” the University Lecturer, condemned what he called marginalisation among the disabilities students and other members of the society, urged governments at all levels to give more adequate inclusive and welfare packages to the People With Disability (PWDs)
The International Conference attended by members of PWD, Civil Society Organizations, (CSO) deaf education experts across the country, signs languages interpreters, management of the University, Lecturer from the department of Special Education as well as several deaf students from the institution among others.
He expressed worried over what he called marginalisation between the physically challenged persons and the people in the society, especially in some educational settings in the country, urged the government to continue to give more adequate priority to the welfare of the deaf person and other PWD members in the country.
Ademokoya, suggested the needs for the government to as a matter of urgency to address the misconception with enabling law that would put an end to the menace, he equally stressed the needs for the government to always include members of the PWD in participation and equal representatives in all activities of the government.
The deaf education expert called on the government to always be passionate about the deaf and other PWD members and ensure they are gainfully employed in the government.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sunday Obeka, said the programme is part of the activities of the institution towards repositioning the institution for better performance.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, the Professor of Geography and Environmental Science, lamented over what he called negligence among the deaf and other members of the society, the University Vice-chancellor explained that the theme is apt and targeted at bringing an end to the menace.
”The theme is apt, looking at the rate of negligence among the deaf and all others people with various challenges. To this regard, It is necessary for us to create an awareness and reasoning towards amicable resolutions and ensure that the public is properly educated on the menace.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Disabilities Matters, Hon Basiru Dawodu, commended the Wesley University for over what called inclusive education
The Federal Lawmaker, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency at the lower legislative chamber, used the occasion to list several achievements recorded by the 10th National Assembly under his chairmanship to include, empowering members of the disabled persons, instruction of sign interpreters at the National Assembly as well as signing into law the disability law among others achievements.