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.
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.
According to an earlier published biohraphy on the New Man Movement's website, Nosakhare Omoregie Shedrack commonly called Nosa by many, is a Nigerian based Contemporary Gospel Singer. Born on February 26th, 1981, into the family of Mr and Mrs Omoregie. He's among other children his parents have. He's from the Southern part of Nigeria (Benin, to be precise).
He gained his elementary education (both primary and secondary education) in Benin City. He didn't just stop at getting his elementary education, he furthered his education by getting a B.Sc in Electrical Engineering from the Prestigious University of Benin.
His career as a Gospel singer didn't just start as a grown up man. He has since (from childhood) been into Music, starting from his home church back then as a child.
Nosa served actively in his church music band then as a child. According to the singer, Brim Burrell among other successful people inspired him. Nosa has collaborated with Gospel artiste, the likes of Frank Edward, Sheyi Shay, to mention but few.
According to the talented gospel singer; music is one of his special ways of bringing people to Christ.
Over the years, he has delivered the good news of Christ via several powerful songs; few of such songs are listed below;
1. Dry Bones (2020)
2. God is Good (2016)
3. Open doors(2014)
4. Why you love me (2013) among others.
He also worked with Nokia about 8years back when he sang " Love is calling". This among few achievements Nosa has gained for himself.
As a talented and passionate Gospel singer, Nosa has been honored with several awards as well as Several Nominations, as a proof that hard work pays. Just one among several others is mentioned below;
Always pray for me ( one of his most popular songs) merited 2014 Song of the year.
Nosa is not only into songs, he's also a philanthropist. Although, his philanthropic works are not mentioned on social media.
Nosa is happily married to Deborah and they are blessed with beautiful children. However, his marital status is not known by many.
Nosa, aside singing and other studio duties reach out to many souls via his YouTube channel, where people are blessed through him. According to a recent report, his net-worth is over $900.
Fasting is nothing out of the ordinary amongst we Nigerians. Indeed, we fast for several reasons ranging from religious to cultural to even political reasons. We also engage in different forms of fasting, which include dry fasting, water fasting, fruit fasting, and even white fasting. Some fast to consecrate themselves for a particular cause. Others fast because they are instructed to. Some even consider fasting as punishment to the body. However, have you ever really considered some of the positive ways fasting can affect your health? Well, here are five of them.
Ageing has to with gradual changes in your body that leads to a decline in bodily activities. Recent researches have shown that one of the underlying factors of this process is the accumulation of damaged cell over time, and fats and sugars have been found to be key players in the process of cell damage. When these nutrients are too many in your body cells, they overwork them and lead to what’s called oxidative stress, which eventually destroys those cells. Fasting, however, can lower the rate of these cell destruction, and thus slow down ageing.
When you fast, you deprive your body of glucose, which is the major source of energy for many organs, and your body is forced to make use of fat stores. The brain also utilizes glucose, and during fasting periods, it has to find an alternative source of energy. Ketones, which are made from fats, are therefore used as substitutes. Ketones have been proven to be better energy sources for the brain, and this is why the brain functions are improved during fasting. Asides this, some researchers have found fasting to help in inhibiting inflammation of brain cells. This improves brain functions too.
If you’ve ever thought about getting rid of some extra weight, you’ve probably thought about fasting. Fasting is indeed an effective way of shedding weight and even maintaining a healthy weight. As earlier stated, when you fast, you deprive your body of calories in form of sugars and fats which compels your body to deploy your fat stores. As a result, you have higher chances of losing unhealthy weight, as long as you don’t go back to consume twice the calories you lost while fasting.
One of the major reasons behind cardiovascular diseases like myocardial infarction and even heart failures is the build-up of fats in the coronary arteries which supply the heart. When you fast, however, the amount of fat in the blood is regulated and this prevents the clogging up of the coronary arteries by fats. This way, your heart will healthier, and you will have lesser chances of developing heart diseases.
Apart from protecting some specific organs, fasting protects the body as a whole. It does this by inducing a process known as autophagy, which involves the clearing up of debris from cells and the removal of toxic or any potentially harmful material from the body. Researchers also believe that autophagy prevents progression of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer disease, etc. Consequently, the body is protected.
Ogungro Alice Iyabode Olori is a beautiful, talented 45years old Nigerian actress and movie producer. Born on the 21st of December 1977. She was born into the Ogunro Adekunle family. She's the only female sibling among two male children of her parents. She's from Southwestern part of the country (Nigeria), Ogun State to be precopr. Iyabo Ojo was birthed and raised in Lagos, Nigeria.
Iyabo Ojo gained her foundamental education in Lagos State. She didn't stop there, but moved forward to get an OND in Estate Management from LSP (Lagos State Polytechnic).
Iyabo Ojo has since started acting right from when she was very young( 20years back) she has been actively involved in acting since then. She even joined a play club back then in secondary school, which helped her in her acting career. After getting an OND (National Diploma) from LSP, she fully went into acting in1988. She then decided to associate with AGN (Actors Guide of Nigeria) and there she gained more attention and connections and was able to meet too stars in the movies industry. She appeared in the popular movie "Satanic" and it was her stepping stone to her success journey in her career and ever since then her light has not dimmed. She has acted and produced many movies so far.
She later released her first movie "Silence" which she featured notable movie stars. She has also acted several Yoruba movies as well.
Iyabo Ojo has been a great gift to the Nollywood Industry, as she has put her talent into great use. The beautiful actress is indeed a successful woman and has gained many awards as well as nominations as a reward for her labor.
Iyabo Ojo is a pretty young actress and mother of two cute children. She had those children at a very young age. They've been separated for 8years now. The major reason for their divorce was because of incompatibility, and other reasons which are not really clear to members of the public.
Iyabo Ojo is a well known actress and successful woman too. She has many assets to include; cars, an eatry, houses to mention but few. Obviously, the pretty actress enjoys good living and she ensures she gets it.
Among various movies she has acted includes:
She has a Net-worth of over $500,000.
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.