Abiola Adenuga, is a trained professional Counselor and Special Educator. He became deaf at a tender age of 9. Abiola worked briefly at an Elementary School for the deaf between the year 2005 and 2006 after completing high school education at St. Peter’s College, Abeokuta before

teaming up with the Friends of the Disabled, Nigeria to initiate and kick-start Sign Language Club at selected schools for students with no hearing loss. He equally holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and a Master’s degree in Special Education at the prestigious University of Ilorin(2013) and

University of Ibadan(2017), respectively. He did his National Youth Service as a Graduate Assistant at the Federal College of Education(Special) Oyo, Oyo State(2013-2014).

He has written and delivered four(4) papers on deaf issues, to his credit. Abiola’s dream and lofty goal is to create awareness and improve upon the situation of the deaf community in Nigeria and also to promote Sign Language for efficient communication between the deaf and people with no hearing loss.

Abiola, a professional Guidance Counsellor , Special Educator and public speaker, currently anchors Sign Language Club in selected schools. He is currently the Acting Chairman, Deaf Teachers Association of Nigeria(DTAN), Lagos.

In an online interview with Yomi of Kosofepost, granted brilliant interview enlighten the public on the Deaf community related matters and other issues.

Extract

Abiola DP status, I am not defined by the extent of hearing loss as a member of deaf community , but by my my own sense of identity and resultant to actions.

Kosofepost: Is being hard of hearing (Deaf) naturally from birth ?

Abiola Deaf: Somehow. However, there are 2 categories of deaf namely :

1. Pre-lingual

2. Post-lingual

kosofepost: Briefly explain the two categories

Abiola Deaf: 1. Pre-lingual i.e by birth

2. Post-lingual i.e some years after e.g those who becomes deaf later in life example is Uncle Bima and I.

kosofepost: You hold Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and a Master’s degree in Special Education. People’s who are not challenged like you couldn’t achieve your current education status. What are your motivating factor?

Abiola Deaf: As people say, determination make a man, self determination and my background is the motivating factor to at my present level. The deaf can have their challenge notwithstanding. I wasn’t motivated. I was determined despite the humiliation I suffered.

kosofepost: Like what humiliation?

Abiola Deaf: No one believes in my ability. Despite my father’s wealthy, I was determined. My father wanted me to be painter which I rejected.

kosofepost: if 80% of Nigeria primary school pupils can not read after graduation according to the UN 2018 Report. what do you think is the contribution of the private schools to the basic education in Nigeria?

Abiola Deaf: Sir, it depends on the category of pupils : Pupils with no hearing loss or those with hearing loss?

kosofepost: It was a general reported development.

Abiola Deaf: Government should see to it that private schools employ professional teachers and stop employing people that know nothing about teaching. Those with no teaching professional qualification i.e TRCN shouldn’t be allowed to teach.

kosofepost: What’s the full meaning of TRCN?

Abiola Deaf: Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

kosofepost: Don’t you think parents also need to pay extra ordinary attention to their kids after school?

Abiola Deaf: Capital YES. It’s their roles. Well most times the private school help the children in their spoken language.

in additional to that, I think that’s the issue that should be mostly addressed because some parents feel that all the responsibilities should be on the teachers.

kosofepost: How many paper have you written on deaf related development?

Abiola Deaf: 4 By God’s grace.

kosofepost: What are their titles?

Abiola Deaf: One at Cote d Ivorie during my service year

Abiola Deaf:

• Sign Language for Efficient Communication Between Deaf and Hearing People.
• With Sign Language, All Equal.
•  Perception and Attitude of Students with Hearing Impairment Towards Sexuality Education.
• The Need For Economic Inclusion Of The Deaf

kosofepost: What’s your relationship with the recently late, Former Kosofe Local Government, Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Tajudeen Adenuga?

Abiola Deaf: He is my elder brother

Kosofepost: Some said he was hale and hearty , some said he had a protracted illness before his death and friends deserted him when in need of help. Is it something you can share with us?

Abiola Deaf: Are sure of this?

kosofepost: You are in better position to tell us, that’s why we are asking you to clarify the claims and put the record straight

Abiola Deaf: I’m not aware of that. We’re not living together. Thought he demise was unfortunate cos when he saw me on TV granting interview to Press, he text me saying he was proud of the program i was doing and he would me Ramadan.

Abiola Deaf: Unfortunately I learned dead came calling the day he planned to host me. Well, people are title to their opinions.

kosofepost: Once again, all of us at Kosofepost ,extend our condolence and May his Soul rest in peace.

Abiola Deaf : Thank you Sir

kosofepost: During our interview with Bima’s months back, he claimed that the Deaf community was used and Dumped by Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, representing Kosofe Federal Constituency in the House after he won his election. Does that claims represents his personal or Kosofe deaf community position?

Abiola Deaf: I don’t have much about that. Somehow some politicians take advantage of persons living with disabilities.

kosofepost: Emotionally one will think that people from your demographic and psychographic, needs help but meeting Engineer Bima Muhammad Abdulahi and Yourself from the same deaf community, it shows that you are both professional irrespective of your disability.

And you can even help the able body men in impacting skills and knowledge. Therefore, what can you offer the general public?

Abiola Deaf: I first plan to break communication barriers between those with hearing loss and those with no hearing loss. Which I been doing since 2008. Bima was my assistant when I started.

Kosofepost: What are your challenges and where do you think you can be assisted materially and financially if the opportunity present itself?

As with all human beings, everybody is faced with one challenge or the other, be it economically, financially, educationally and socially. The greatest challenge I faced in life is education.

As an orphan, with the help of God, and good spirited individuals (including my siblings) I have been able to get education to Master level.

The greatest challenge I’m facing presently is the need to get a Ph. D degree at the world’s famous Deaf University abroad for more exposure.

I have not been able to get assistance in this regards. It will be a greatest relief to me if government can come to my aid so that I can pursue my special ambition of achieving my dream as a Ph.D holder.