The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has directed the National Broadcasting Commission to implement the Broadcasting Code provision that mandates television stations to deploy sign language interpreters on their major news bulletin, for the benefit of persons living with disability.
Alhaji Mohammed also said his ministry will collaborate with the Centre in the implementation of Section Two of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disability (Prohibition) Act by making provisions for the promotion of awareness regarding the rights, respect and dignity of persons with disabilities as well as highlight their capabilities,
activities and contribution to the society.
The Minister gave the directive in Abuja on Monday when he received
executives of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities on a courtesy
visit to his office.
“I have also directed, within my ministry most importantly, the issue
of television stations having sign language interpreters and by
tomorrow, I can assure you that a directive will go out to television
stations pointing their attention to the relevant provisions of the
Broadcasting Code. I am sure that in a few weeks time, you will begin
to see the difference,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said his ministry will collaborate with the Centre in
the implementation of Section Two of the Discrimination Against
Persons With Disability (Prohibition) Act by making provisions for the
promotion of awareness regarding the rights, respect and dignity of
persons with disabilities as well as highlight their capabilities,
activities and contribution to the society.
He therefore called on the Centre to participate in the creation of
content on their activities, which will be disseminated to the public
through the media and the National Orientation Agency.
The Minister expressed delight that President Buhari has fulfilled his
campaign promise to the persons living with disability by signing the
Discrimination Against Persons With Disability (Prohibition) Act into
law and operationalizing it through the establishment of the National
Commission for Persons with Disability, after a tireless struggle to
achieve it in the last 18 years.
He described the present administration as friendly to persons living with disability and said they have been mainstreamed into all the
Social Intervention Programmes of government, including the Survival
Fund where 10% of what is being administered by the Federal Ministry
of Industry, Trade and Investment is earmarked for persons living with
disability.
In his remark, the Executive Director of the Centre for Citizens with
Disabilities, Mr. David Anyaele, commended the President for signing
the Discrimination Against Persons With Disability (Prohibition) Act
into law and for the establishment of the National Commission for
Persons with Disability in order to promote their welfare and social
well-being.
He called on government ministries, departments and agencies to comply
with a provision in the Act, which mandates them to reserve at least
5% of employment opportunities for persons living with disability.
