By Fortune Abang
Abuja – Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Singapore Chapter, has underscored the need for proper and adequate investment in sign languages toward promoting effective teaching and learning.
Vice President of the organisation Dr. Jonathan Obaje made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Obaje was speaking against the background of the commemoration of the 2019 International Day of Sign Languages with the theme: “Rights for all”.
NAN reports that there are somewhere between 138 and 300 different types of sign language used throughout the world today.
One of the most common misconceptions about sign language is that it’s the same wherever you go, as new sign languages frequently evolve amongst groups of deaf children and adults.
According to him, the theme for the year’s celebration is apt especially in recognition of the importance of languages in achieving the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said that the call for proper and adequate investment in sign languages was important because unlike spoken ones, sign languages could not be mastered easily beyond the basic level.
“The sign language has become an international communication tool without boundaries.
“It is neutral to culture, gender, religion, identities; it is therefore a communication tool that removes many barriers to sustainable human development across nations.
“The Nigerian educational system should recognise these potentials and be up front in promoting its development from the primary school level to the tertiary level.”
He said that sign languages in general were worth learning as they were capable of breaking social, religious and cultural barriers.
The vice president of the organisation lauded the Federal Government for establishing schools for the needy.
He urged the government to do more as it would further uplift the teaching and learning of sign languages.
He further urged government at all levels to always mark the International Sign Language Day in the country to encourage people to participate in the teaching and learning of the language.
The United Nations General Assembly in 1951 declared Sept. 23 of every year as the International Day of Sign Languages along with the International Week of the Deaf. (NAN)