Madam Afuye has been a part of the political structure in the state for many years now and is an accomplished mobiliser and voice for the masses. I know her to be a woman of immense wisdom and generosity of spirit, and I am confident that she would be a great partner whose reach and connections with the grassroots would contribute to earning the mandate of the people and eventually running an inclusive and progressive government that works for all.’
Born on September 28th 1958, Afuye had her early education at Saint Joseph CAC Primary School Aramoko, Aramoko Ekiti, and Amoye Grammar school, Ikere-Ekiti – primary and secondary schools respectively. She earned her Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Crown Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Afuye is an accomplished entrepreneur, public servant, and community leader.
She worked as a Catering Supervisor at the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (1979-1985) after which she went into private business. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Demolad Catering Services and was until her nomination a member of the Governing Council of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti.
Afuye, a formidable grassroots politician, is a member of the Ekiti APC State Executive Council as the State Women Leader. A Princess of Ikere who straddles two royal households in the Kingdom, Afuye holds the traditional title of Okinlua (Head of all Princesses) of Ikere-Ekiti. She is married with children and grandchildren.
Sunday, 8 June 2025
The Harmful Effects of Shisha - Plague or Pleasure?
Hookah, Narghile, Waterpipe, or Hubble Bubble smoking, popular as Shisha in this part of the world is a way of smoking tobacco, sometimes mixed with fruit or molasses sugar, through a bowl and hose or tube. It is a glass-bottomed water pipe in which fruit-flavoured tobacco is covered with foil and roasted with charcoal. The tobacco smoke passes through a water chamber and is inhaled deeply and slowly; the fruit-flavoured tobacco tastes smooth and smells sweet, making it an enjoyable and unrushed experience.
Shisha pipes use tobacco sweetened with fruit or molasses sugar, making the smoke more aromatic than cigarette smoke. Popular flavourings include Apple, Plum, Coconut, Mango, Mint and Strawberry . The tube ends in a mouthpiece from which the smoker inhales the smoke from the substances being burnt into their lungs.
How Harmful is Shisha?
It’s difficult to say exactly how much smoke or toxic substances an individual is exposed to in a typical shisha session. People smoke Shisha for a much longer period of time than they smoke a cigarette, and in one puff of Shisha you inhale the same amount of smoke as you’d get from smoking a whole cigarette. Shisha smoking appears to increase the risk of several Cancers (lung, esophageal, and gastric), Pulmonary diseases (impaired pulmonary function, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema), Coronary artery disease, Periodontal disease, Obstetrical and Perinatal problems (low birth weight and pulmonary problems at birth), larynx and voice changes, and osteoporosis.
Is Herbal Shisha Healthier?
No it isn’t. Shisha, herbal or not, usually contains tobacco. Fruit or herbal flavours do not mean the product is healthy. Using a tobacco-free shisha still put the individual at risk from the Carbon monoxide and any toxins in the coal or charcoal used to burn the Shisha.
Second hand smoke is also a worry. If you’re smoking with other people or in a public place and the Shisha includes cigarette tobacco, it’s likely you’ll breathe in their second hand smoke too.
The Paradox of Exclusionary Inclusion for PWDs
As the crusade for better social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) into the mainstream society continues to gain ground, there’s a need to guard against the green snakes in green grass phenomenon that might ultimately sabotage this laudable cause. To fail to do this is to settle for what may be called a “pseudo-inclusion” instead of the “full-inclusion” originally set out to achieve.
What Exactly is Pseudo-inclusion in this case?
Pseudo simply means something fake. Therefore Pseudo-inclusion is fake inclusion. This type of inclusion subtly cheats Persons with Disabilities by appointing people outside it to decide for PWDs matters.Again, pseudo-inclusion is the direct and indirect barring of Persons with Disabilities (because of their disabilities) from specific leadership positions in the larger society. It’s an irony of the Inclusion crusade that insults the sensibilities and human intelligence of Persons with Disabilities.
For the avoidance of doubt, I will say it again with emphasis: “the claim to Inclusion is false when we have abled persons wanting to have deciding says in disability issues. And these same people would turn around to stop persons with disabilities from exercising leadership in mainstream matters.
These veiled opponents of full inclusion always have deceptive arguments to defend their hidden motives.
In this piece, we look at one side of the exclusionary-inclusion theory otherwise referred to as fake-inclusion.
It’s high time we become increasingly concerned about this ridiculous occurrence in its various hidden appearances.
In defiance to the age-long adage that it is the person wearing the shoe that knows where it pinches, PWDs are being treated to a shameful spectacle where a barefooted people either take it upon, or have it unjustly entrusted on them to tell the shoe-wearers where the shoe pinches. In other words, to determine their fate.
The discerning mind will readily see this contradictory situation whereby supposed beneficiaries of inclusion end up excluded where it matters most – namely, the decision/policy making process. I have been there.
As a person with disability, you can probably relate to instances when your complaints of discrimination, stigmatization, etc, were replied with typical: “we will look into it”, “we will see the pastor”, “we will talk to leadership and find a solution“ comments? The odd thing is that neither leadership or whoever is mandated to resolve the problem has any real disability experience.
And sure enough, they go ahead as promised, and without your active contribution find a solution to the complaint.
Now, you are happy that the matter is resolved.
But wait.
Did you consider that the solution could have been better had your opinions and those of others in same shoes been considered in the resolution process?
Did you realize that without your active involvement, a basic rule of thumb has been violated in the solution finding process? You may or may not realize it. The point is, time and again, we see this kind of unjust thing happen. It’s called Pseudo-inclusion – fake inclusion.
The concept of Pseudo-Inclusion reminds me of my campus experience. I remember advocating for, and offering possible solutions for better inclusion of the Deaf section on campus fellowship.
It was good that leadership saw reason and there were improvements. The unfortunate side was that I wasn’t properly involved in the decision making process. I still remember the indignant feelings then. I was like: “what were they thinking”? By the way, I am not alone in this experience.
Meanwhile, similar scenarios replay at secular level – this time on an even worse scale.
We find this thing in government, we see it in politics, we encounter it in the academia – it is present everywhere.
I love this slogan of the deaf cluster: “Nothing about us without us”.
The same holds true for all the disability clusters.
Now here’s the challenge before us – the very ones wearing the shoe. The challenge is in walking the tough talk – nothing about us without us. We need to ask ourselves how effectively we have been doing that – walking the talk.
There are two ways to go about this:
First, leadership and stakeholders of the various disability clusters must wake up to the necessity of standing up for this sacred task.
Secondly, a customized training/mentoring system must be conscientiously put in place to revive and perpetuate the leadership succession sequence by equipping upcoming talents among members for the task of carrying on the full inclusion crusade.
We need to devise a functional system for identifying, nurturing and bringing together a new breed of “justice-minded” PWDs to sustain the fight against pseudo-inclusion.
Agreed, this battle will not be conceded by opponents on a platter. Therefore, we must be ready to go all out using every legitimate means at our disposal to ensure there’s really nothing about us apart from us.
It begins with ourselves. Are we ready? We ought to be.
History of Nigeria; Independence and Facts
This article is the complete history of Nigeria. It centres on the Country's biography, pre-colonialism, colonialism, independence, republic, ethnic groups, and political setting
History of Nigeria's Independence day:
Independence day in Nigeria is a day to commemorate the freedom, but partial freedom of Nigeria from the powerful hands of colonialism.
Before we go further, be informed that the day is always a free day as the Federal Government declares such day as a work-free day.
Independence Day is celebrated in Nigeria, at every First of October, yearly. Should the day fall on weekends- i.e Saturday/Sunday, the Federal Government, through the office of the Interior Minister shall shift the Public Holiday to the following working day- Monday.
Take for instance, the 2022 Independence day falls on Saturday, 1, 2022, the Federal government, through the Interior Minister- Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola declared Monday as public holiday for Nigerians to mark the Independence day.
Daily News Report's Editor-In-Chief, takes you through the scenarios and FAQs surrounding Pre and post Independence of Nigeria
What does The 1960 Independence day Signify in Nigeria?
Nigeria got her Independence in 1960 and thus celebrate it yearly on October 1. The 1960 independence celebrates the Country’s Independence from British rule which occurred in 1960. Though, the 1960 Independence only gained partial freedom to Nigerians because Queen Elizabeth II was still the head of Government then, while She controls Nigeria with a Prime Minister- Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
It was the 1963 Republic that gave Nigeria total Independence from the power of the British government. This era marks the original freedom, as Nigerians now gained total dominance of their Country and territory, that was when Nigeria started running Presidential system of Government. The first Executive President of Nigeria was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
What is the meaning of Independence day | What Happens On Independence Day?
The government of Nigeria celebrates this holiday annually. The President’s address to the public marks the beginning of the festivities, this is broadcasted LIVE on Radios and Television Nationwide, anchored by the NIgerian Television Authority (NTA). Among what the President will say is to felicitate with Nigerians on the day and give updates on the current situations and positions of the Country.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the workforce, national education services and all parastals do celebrate this day with the Public (Nigerians). Offices, Schools and markets will close on this day and the citizens take to the street or stadium, dressed in green and white to celebrate. The President is moved to Eagle's Square to open the Celebration as military officers, workers and Students engage in parades and matchpast. This process also happes across the Thirsty-Six States of the Federation.
This is the History of Nigeria's Independence Day:
The birth of Nigeria came from the 1914 amalgamation by Sir. Lord Lugard, where Southern Protectorate (South and Lagos colony) was merged with the Northern Nigeria Protectorate in 1914 to create the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.
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British Authorities sitting with A Monarch and Nigerians during the colonial Era. Image credit: Getty Image |
This is the British Colonial style | How it looses in Africa:
After the merger, In 1950, the British Empire begins to lose its power grip over Africa as many territories in Africa were calling for independence already. In 1956, Anthony Enahoro called for the self Independence of Nigeria from the British government, though the North rejected it and this led to various arguments.
With the agitations and awareness from Nigerians' top Nationalist- Sir Herbert Marculay, and others llike Dr. Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and others, coupled with the help of newspaper and elites in Nigeria and diasporas, The Brirish Government agreed and granted Independence to Nigeria on October 1, 1960, thus becoming the Federation of Nigeria.
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First Premier of the Western Region- Chief Obafemi Awolowo having a handshake with Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit to Nigeria. Image credit: Getty Image |
Upon getting Independence, a new constitution was established with an elected prime minister and a ceremonial head of state. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was previously the Governor-General was the first President. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa continued to serve as the prime minister, a position he had held since 1957.
In the quest to gain full autonomy, on June 1961, the Northern part of the Trust Territory of the Cameroons joined the Northern region of Nigeria and in October, the Southern Cameroons united with the Republic of Cameroon to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Also, On October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a republic as a sovereign State, with Dr. Azikiwe as President of the Country.
Sequence Of Nigeria Independence Story:
In 1850s, the British Government establish their presence in Lagos, making Lagos the crown colony, where the British resides.
What led to British arrival into Nigeria?
The era was during an industrial revolution in Europe, so in the quest for resources and manpower, the British stumbled on Africa.
Colonialism | Colonialism Book | Queen Elizabeth II
What are the roles Queen Elizabeth II played in the Colonization of Nigeria?
Queen Elizabeth II was the British Monarch then and as Britain colonized Africa, she is definitely part of those giving instructions to the Colonial Masters on what to do.
After the Queen Elizabeth II death, there seem to be this harsh tone coming from Citizens in the African Countries. Records show that the Britain "stole" so much resources from the colonized African Countries, engaged them into slavery, while many Africans died during the course.
Definition of Slavery | Slavery abolish | Africa slavery:
Does slavery start from the British government?
Historical facts surfaced that African Kings, Queens and elites were already engaging in slavery of their people before the advent of the British Government. What played out there was that the British took advantage of what they met (slavery), bribed the African leaders and make use of them to rule their subjects through what is called "indirect rule". After Queen Elizabeth II death, there are calls for Britain to return "Stolen" Gems, Diamonds and other resources back to the real owners.
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Queen Elizabeth II was born in London, 21st April, 1926 and her death was announced by Backingham Palace on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Credit: BBC News |
The amalgamation of Nigeria:
1861—1914: The Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria was done.
October 1, 1960 marks the official Independance which was granted to Nigeria, as Journalist Flora Shaw suggested the name- Nigeria, which was coined due to the Country's nearness to River Niger.
Here are quick historical facts about Nigeria:
Seventh-most populous Country in the World, with more than 200 million people.
The population is divided to roughly 250 ethnic groups, while religion is divided into three: Christian, Muslims and African Traditional Religion.
This is the Demography of Nigeria | This is the current estimatesd Population growth in Nigeria:
Nigeria is located in the West Africa, alongside Ghana, Senegal, and co. The population of Nigeria is over 200 Million, and predicted to grow more higher than China in coming years.
This is the Language in Nigeria | Lingua franca in Nigeria:
English Language is the official language of Nigeria, with many other dialects accounting to over 520 Languages; majorly grouped into three:
- Yoruba
- Igbo
- Hausa
Colour code of Nigeria flag;
Green and White is NIgeria's colour code.
What are the Importance of Independence Day in Nigeria:
The Nigeria Independence day is so important and unique because it marks the beginning of an era.
Short Story: The Shooting Star
Adetoun walked down the streets slowly, she looked quite torn between two worlds – the world of reality and that of her thoughts. She mistakenly bumped into a dark young man who seemed to be in a hurry; this was met with a series of insults. She quickly did her best to apologize to him, but he was gone already. She composed herself immediately, and sat down on the bonnet of a car.
Adetoun was a beautiful lady, dark in complexion, she had a slightly pointed nose, and an oblong face. All these features even made her beauty to be more pronounced. She was what the guys of today would call “melanin popping”.
As beautiful as she was, she had her scars. She was an only child; and as fate would have it – she became an orphan at the age of twelve. From that moment, Adetoun’s custody was handed over to her father’s brother, who was popularly known as “Chairman” in his area because he happened to be the head of the area boys and touts. Chairman was a huge man, with a round face and receding hairline; he also had a stomach that looked like it was housing twins. You could always perceive the stench of beer or cigarettes around him; he had a wife- Mummy Tayo, and two children- Tayo and Wumi. Wumi and Adetoun were age mates, while Tayo was already eighteen.
Adetoun soon moved in, and started school again. All seemed to be going well until one terrible incident happened; on a cloudy day, Adetoun was inside the house, all alone, washing her clothes. Tayo and Wumi had already gone to meet their mother in her shop which was three streets away .Adetoun happily washed her clothes at the back of the house as she hummed a song she heard from the radio. Chairman staggered into the house, heavily drunk; he shouted “who’s in this house o?” .Adetoun quickly stood up from where she was washing and went inside to meet her uncle. “E kaabo, Sir”, she knelt down to greet him; Chairman’s eyes did a quick scan of Adetoun’s body and he licked his lips. “Oya, go and bring me the two thousand naira I kept on the small table in my room”, he commanded.
Adetoun, the obedient child she was, ran to her uncle’s room to get the money; little did she know that she was walking into an evil trap. When she got there, her eyes scanned the room for the small table. She saw it, but she couldn’t see any money on it. As she turned around to go and give her uncle a feedback of the little errand, she was met by her uncle who was already by the door. Chairman locked the door and put the key in his pocket; Adetoun was confused and asked “Uncle, what’s happening? Is there an armed robber outside?” Her questions were met with a reply of four words, four words that would later haunt her in the future. “Adetoun, remove your clothes” was all her uncle told her. Adetoun was so dumbfounded, but then, she quickly realized the implications of her uncle’s words. Already in tears, she started pleading with her uncle, but her uncle pushed her to the bed. She started to shout, but her uncle was quick to quiet her by giving her two slaps and he covered her mouth with his hand. Without wasting time, her uncle already stripped her of her clothes, along with her dignity and pride, and whatever happiness she had been feeling previously. Adetoun had no strength left in her, as her uncle mounted her and devoured her virginity like a hungry lion; she could only curse him in her heart. After Chairman was done eating the forbidden fruit, he heaved a sigh of satisfaction and fanned himself.
Next, he threatened to kill Adetoun if she ever uttered a word to any soul. Adetoun. Chairman stood up and happily left the crime scene. After much shedding of tears, Adetoun stood up, staggering and went to the bathroom first, trying to wash away the dirt and the pains away. Then, she went to her uncle’s room; as she entered, she started crying and she removed the sheets. Amidst the tears, she washed the sheets and her remaining clothes so the other members of the family wouldn’t suspect a thing.
When Mummy Tayo, Tayo and Wumi got back from the shop, Adetoun acted like as if everything was perfectly alright. For one week, Adetoun was withdrawn to herself, she was no longer the friendly child she used to be. If anyone asked what happened to her, she simply replied that she was remembering her dead parents. This façade went on and on, until another day came when Chairman wanted to have his way again. This time, Adetoun used all of her strength to resist him and she ran away (At this point in time, she was just in the second class of junior secondary school). Chairman went outside and sent some of his boys to look for her. When his wife and children came back, he denied ever seeing Adetoun that day; “I thought she was with you in the shop”, he said. He calmed his wife and children down and made a show of calling his boys to look for Adetoun.
Adetoun kept running till she was very tired and out of breath. She looked around and tried to assess her surroundings. She realized that she was already in another area. Then, she saw a man who was loading his truck with farm produce, and she deducted that he was going to the city. She sneaked into the back of his truck and soon enough, the man started driving, unaware of the fact that he was carrying an extra passenger.
In Chairman’s house, his wife and children were very worried and eagerly awaited the reports of the boys. The boys came back with a negative report as all efforts in the search for Adetoun were futile. Mummy Tayo and her children were greatly distressed after hearing this; Chairman reassured them that he would still search for her the next day.
When she got to the city in the morning, she walked around the streets looking at the busy ways of the city and thinking of a way to survive. The next day, she decided that she would have to look for a way to fend for herself. Just as she was thinking of ideas, she saw a girl that was caught stealing. She went to meet the girl and then indicated her interest in joining the group of pickpockets. The other girl, who was called Esi, as she discovered later, reluctantly agreed to teach her. That was how Adetoun became a full-time pickpocket; she became quite a professional.
At Chairman’s house, after all continued efforts to search for Adetoun had been in vain, they all concluded that she must have been kidnapped or used for rituals. So, everyone mourned for her, some with crocodile tears, and everyone moved on with their lives.
For many years in the city, Adetoun continued in the art of pickpocketing and had a lot of friends. Their shelter was an uncompleted building. One day, as Adetoun was walking around the city, already a lady of eighteen, she heard a talk on the radio about life. The radio presenter advised the youth to do something meaningful and legal, something their parents could be proud of, and not to engage in illegal vices. Adetoun was disturbed as the thought of her dead parents came floating to her mind. “Would they be pleased with her if she was engaging in this terrible act”? , this was one of the many questions that troubled her mind. That night, Adetoun tossed and turned as she kept thinking of what to do, she finally made a decision.
The next morning, before anyone woke up, she packed her bag, and with the money she had saved over time, she made her way to another part of the city. She had decided that she would be selling groundnuts which is “epa” in Yoruba land and roasted plantain popularly known as “boli”. She rented a flat and she went to the market to acquire the materials for her business, then she went to get a stand where she could sell her boli and epa. She soon became popular in that town, because she was always nice to her customers and everyone around her. Due to the nature of her work, she became known as “Anti Boli” by the young and old. Adetoun was also involved in the town’s youth forum, and she was an active member. Whenever there was a call for help, she was always willing to do so. Alas, she had really changed overnight. For Adetoun, it was tough to resist the temptation of being a pickpocket, but she tried her best to steer clear of pickpocketing.
One fateful day, at the market where Adetoun happened to sell boli andepa, a boy who looked to be about fifteen years old was running with so much speed, with five area guys fast at his heel. Shouts of “thief, thief, ole” hung in the air as everyone gave their attention to the ongoing chase. Eventually, the boy was caught and before you could say Jack Robinson, a big black tyre was placed around his neck, and one of the area boys popularly known as “Ijakadi” went to get petrol to make the sacrifice complete.
While all this was happening, Adetoun was watching from her stand and she felt a tug at her heart to help the poor boy even though he was guilty of the crime. She said a short prayer, and proceeded to do an Esther. She held her head up high, and went to meet the head of the area boys, who was called “Kayefi”. She pleaded with him “Kayefi, baba to sure, abeg help me free this small pikin”. “Anti Boli, that one no possible o, e no fit happen”, he responded. She begged him and pleaded on account that he was small and not yet wise. After much pleading, Kayefi agreed and said “Anti Boli,because na you o, wallahi, if no be say we be padi, I for don send this pikin go Baba God side”. The boy was set free, and he prostrated himself before Adetoun, thanking her with tears in his eyes. She told the boy to accompany her and he did so.
At her stand, she quizzed the boy about his life and family. There, she learnt that his name was Abayomi, he was an orphan and he was living on the streets. She agreed to take him in like a younger brother, if he promised to behave. He joyfully agreed, and so, Adetoun really had someone to call family. Soon, after she could see that Abayomi was behaving well, she got a JAMB form for him and she made him sit for it and other necessary exams. Abayomi passed and was admitted into the University of Lagos to study Law; Adetoun’s joy knew no bounds.
Over the days, everything was going smoothly and Adetoun was enjoying her simple life selling boli and epa. One morning, as Adetoun was dressing up, she felt a slight pain in her left breast and saw that a lump was on her breast. She thought it was an insect bite, and she went to rub some shea butter on the affected area. Every day, she rubbed the area with shea butter. After a week, she woke up to see that the nipple of that breast was giving out a bloody discharge. She was scared, and she quickly made her way to the hospital. After waiting for an hour, the doctor finally attended to her. She explained her situation to the doctor, and he told her that she would have to get a mammogram. The mammogram was conducted shortly, and she was told to wait in the doctor’s office for the results. The doctor came back after thirty minutes with some papers in his hand.
“Ma’am, after the mammogram, we have discovered what exactly is behind your symptoms”, he said. “Okay, what is wrong with me doctor? “, she asked; he told her she would have to be calm to hear the results. By now, Adetoun was very tense; the doctor finally said “Ma’am, you have stage two breast cancer”. For two minutes, Adetoun was in shock and didn’t utter a word, then she burst into tears amidst cries of “Doctor, why me? This can’t be true, who have I offended? ”. The doctor tried his best to console her, and when she was a little bit calm, she asked “Doctor, please, what exactly is the solution to this?”, the doctor replied “Ma’am, you’d have to undergo a surgery in two weeks from now. ” The doctor explained that she could either go for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and he told her to eat some specific foods before the surgery. He also advised her not to worry as the survival rate was high. The doctor then stated that the hospital fee for the surgery was five hundred thousand naira. Adetoun’s eyes almost bulged out of her sockets when she heard this, but she didn’t say anything.
Adetoun was not herself when she got home. She took a walk down the streets, and started thinking about how she would raise the money for her treatment. She called Abayomi and broke the sad news to him; Abayomi was very unhappy but he assured her that they would get the money and she would eventually be fine.
The next day, Adetoun sold some of her belongings and raised a hundred thousand naira. She also went to meet a friend, who borrowed her hundred thousand naira too. Abayomi came home to see his sister, and to inform her that he had borrowed three hundred thousand naira. Adetoun wasn’t too happy as she didn’t want to burden Abayomi, but she thanked him. Abayomi stayed with Adetoun throughout the two weeks before her surgery. Many people in the town stopped by Adetoun’s place to ask after her.
Time flew so quickly, and the day of the operation arrived. Adetoun and Abayomi exchanged tearful farewells as Adetoun was wheeled into the theatre room. Abayomi was praying and pacing around nervously. After what seemed liked forever, the doctor came out of the theatre room, and Abayomi ran to meet him. “Doctor, what of my sister, how is she?”, the doctor shook his head with pity in his eyes and said “I’m sorry but she couldn’t make it”. Abayomi shook his head and said the doctor was lying, but the doctor reaffirmed the news. He sat on the floor and burst into tears, shouting for Adetoun. It was very painful, indeed, the loss of a sister and a benefactor. Later, Adetoun’s body was taken to the mortuary and Abayomi went home to give the sad news to the town people. The town mourned for Adetoun, for she had been kind to everyone in one way or another.
O-REY
Deafness is not by choice or will
By Taofeekat Adigun
International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually across the world on 23rd September every year along with International Week of the Deaf in order to raise awareness on the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.
Mrs Temilola Ogundeji is the Director of Language of Hands Centre, a consultant interpreting firm. She is the lead interpreter at the office of Executive Assistant on disability matters for Oyo State Government. She is also the National Vice President for the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN), as well as a worker in News Interpreting Department on BCOS.
In this interview with Taofeekat Adigun, She shares insight into challenges faced by deaf people, inclusion of Sign Language and the role society has to play.
Tell us a little about yourself ma?
I am Temilola Sakirat Ogundeji, popularly called Lola interpreter. I am a prolific consultant interpreter, and the Founder of Caring Climate Interpreters Ventures (train the trainers outfit). I am a lead mentor for deaf community. I have worked with different organizations both in Nigeria and it's diaspora on Sign Language usage. Some of the organisations include; DFID, USAID, C4C, UNIFEM, INEC, NASS, JONAPWD, NNAD, IRI, VSO, UKaid, Osun State Govt., FORD FOUNDATION, PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL, AIT, amongst many others.
Also, I am a film producer. I have produced 2 films "Ayike Omo Oko" (subtitled in English and Sign language for the deaf) in 2008 and "Igbo oba" produced in conjunction with National Parks Service in 2012.
Tell us a little about your organization and the achievement it has garnered over the years.
Caring Climate Interpreters Ventures, popularly called Language of Hands was established in 1991 but came to limelight in 2005 after my participation during confab. It is a consultant interpreting NGO where we offer sign language interpreting service for people, company, schools and the likes. We offer training for people interested in sign language free of charge. Some become an Interpreter after 9 to 12 months, depending on their interest and seriousness.
Some of our achievement so far, we have trained many interpreters who have trained other interpreters as well. We have mentored many interpreters who are doing well in the profession through our different training programs and field jobs. We have worked with so many organisations both in Nigeria and abroad to offer sign language interpreting service. We have participated in different programs,both national and international.
What spiked your interest in sign language?
I did my NCE program at Federal College of Education (SPED), Oyo, where I studied Special (Deaf) Education. I was passionate about learning Sign Language. The peculiarity of the language, where your hands represent your mouth and your eyes represent your ears was fascinating to me. I learnt sign language via a Deaf man in 1986 because of my passion for it and to communicate with him well. The Deaf man later became my husband in 1989.
We hear people say "Hearing impairment/ Deaf people". Which Term is more appropriate to use?
The Deaf is the general term. It covers both hearing impaired, speech impaired and hard of hearing.
What challenges do Deaf People face in the society and how can we tackle them?
Communication problem is the major problem. Sign language is not a universal language that most people know or are aware of. There is also the issue of NEGLECTS because deafness is a hidden disability.
Generally, there is also the issue of misplaced priority. For example, when people think of empowerment of persons with disability, the first thing they plan for the deaf is sharing of hearing aids whereas not all deaf people can use it. The usage depends on the decibel and a lot of factors need to be considered.
The deaf needs education opportunities. There are schools with unskilled interpreters who end up teaching the children wrongly. Also, a lot of deaf people are highly educated with no jobs. Providing employment opportunities, various skills acquisition and vocational jobs will go a long way.
What are your opinions on including Sign Language in the school curriculum?
I honestly believe Sign Language should be integrated in the curriculum. It will immensely bridge the communication barrier experienced by deaf people. Sign Language is a subtle and unique language. If we all have a deep understanding of the language, it would go a long way in making life better for the deaf.
What advice do you have for parents with deaf children?
Acceptance is a huge factor. Parent should first accept them and show love. See them like every other children. Enrol them in special schools early as a child so as not derail their education, and overall, let them be independent. Parents should try as much as possible to learn simple basic sign language well as to communicate with their children.
How can government help solve the plight facing the deaf community?
Inclusion and integration is the only way. Let there be interpreters at hospitals,court of justice, police stations, interpreting service centre like the legal aid council. Thank God Oyo state govt.is trying in that area.There are News interpreter on BCOS as well as interpreters in the office of the Executive Assistant to the governor on disability matters.
Providing job opportunities for those who are educated and vocational relief materials for those who have various skillset.
What advice do you have for people on relating with deaf community?
Firstly, deafness is not by choice or will and disability can happen to anybody. People tend to have the "Thank God For My Life" mentality when they encounter deaf people. This should stop.
Let people recognise sign language, embrace it, learn it, and use it.
Let them be FODA (Friends of the deaf adult). Let them encourage and accept intermarriage between the Deaf and hearing. Deafness is not contagious.
What is your final advice for deaf people on surmounting all odds against disability?
"In every disability, there are abilities". God created them with special abilities and potentials.
They should not allow their disability to be a barrier for achievement and realising their purpose. Educational pursuit is very important, no matter how little. Begging is not the answer.
Nobody can make them inferior without their consent. They should not allow anybody to downplay or look down on them. They should be hardworking, confident and focused.
How Hobeei, Social-Tech Initiative Reduces Inequality Using Waste
HoBeei is a Tech and Social business with the aim of reducing
inequality using waste. This web app makes it easy for people to Freecycle
by connecting people with unwanted items to those who need them. By
doing so, the ultimate goal is achieved through improved savings by encouraging reuse and
responsible consumption which benefits the environment and promote
social responsibility. Hobeei's mission is to achieve resource redistribution
in the most fun and exciting way which will encourage as many people to
reduce hoarding and freecycle items as soon as they no longer have use
for them.
As a web-based social commerce platform that
aims to contribute to the growth of society by minimising wastes,
improving savings, and instigating a sense of social responsibility
among people, the idea is to create an
online market where people like you can give away their products for
reuse instead of dumping them so that there will be minimal product
wastage, better management of resources, and a greater growth of
society.
Hobeei facilitates free recycling of products with the help of an in-built bidding system. It helps users to create colonies, join colonies of other people, list products for sale, create product lists, explore various products, and a lot more. Users can also place bids on products they wish or want to purchase. To do this, users need online credits and tokens called Buzzes (BZS). It’s a type of virtual currency that can be purchased using real money and with online payments. You can also use tokens to get items! See how to earn BZS. Upon Sign up, a user gets 1,500 BZS for free and bid for items you need from others! The highest buzzer wins and you get your BZS back when you don't win!
Read: How Prospa is Helping Nigerian Brand Open Corporate Businesses for Free
Users also get more BZS when people bid on items you have given away. You can buy buzzes when needed with much as 2,500 BZS with ₦150 only. Alternatively, you can win buzzes when you refer your friends to use Hobeei.
To use
Hobeei, you have to create an account here. while you can also use it without registration,
the usage rights will be limited and you’ll need to register with the
app to avail full rights.
Hobeei runs with a team of volunteers who lead the Freecycle revolution. This team includes natural givers, people who havve personally or have seen others struggle to afford
items that others hoard and people who are tired of seeing items disposed of that
could have been fixed and reused by others. To the team, it is a process and solution of resource redistribution. They also believe that Hobeei's duty is to solve the inequality gap using waste.
The Freecycle Revolution happens when People need what others no longer use. Hobeei stands to bridge the gap by connecting both ends. One way through which they do this is through its sharing economy which helps users to share items you no longer need with others and get better things you need in return!
Read: Biography of Actress Kehinde Bankole
Hobeei also ensures Less Hoarding and gives more space for users. This is because you can give away items as soon as you no longer need them. For collectors, it improves your Smart Savings culture as With Hobeei, you improve savings! This is because you wouldn't buy when you can get items at almost no cost.
Finally, in accordance with eco-friendly innovation, Hobeei is helping users become Eco-concsious and eco-friendly. This is because people understand the value in re-using items to sustain our environment.