By Muhammad Auwal
The National President of the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Malam Haruna Muhammad Tsafe, has commended Bauchi State for its commitment to inclusive education and disability rights following the outstanding performance of deaf students from the state at a national ICT competition.
Tsafe, who led a high-powered NNAD delegation to Bauchi on an official visit, described the victory of female students from the Special Education Centre, Bauchi, who emerged overall winners in the National ICT Competition against schools from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as a clear demonstration that disability does not limit excellence.
The delegation held strategic meetings with officials of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education and the Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities to discuss ways of strengthening inclusive education and expanding opportunities for persons with disabilities.
During the visit, the NNAD leadership also interacted with members and executives of the Bauchi State Association of the Deaf and paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji (Dr.) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, over the death of his uncle.
The association disclosed that the Bauchi State Government had pledged scholarships for the three deaf students who won the national ICT competition, while also reaffirming its commitment to extending free tertiary education to students with special needs.
NNAD further applauded Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for upgrading the state agency for persons with disabilities to a commission and for promoting Malam Tasiu Zubairu, a deaf person, to the position of director within the agency.
The association noted that Bauchi's policies on inclusive education and support for persons with disabilities have continued to attract national and international recognition.
The delegation included Dr. Umar Tukur of Gallaudet University, United States, the NNAD Board of Trustees representative for the North-East, Malam Bashir Usman Kellumi, North-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Association of the Deaf, Malam Suleiman Ahmed, Chairman of the Bauchi State Association of the Deaf, and other deaf community leaders.
NNAD expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government, the Bauchi Emirate Council, the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders for the support and warm reception accorded to the delegation, reaffirming its commitment to promoting the rights, welfare and achievements of deaf persons across Nigeria.
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