ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at improving the inclusion and participation of deaf persons in the state as the Delta chapter of the National Association of the Deaf prepares for its 2026 Deaf Awareness Week and South-South Deaf People Summit.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori gave the assurance when members of the association, led by its Delta State Chairman, Mr Chrispaul Nwani, visited Government House, Asaba, ahead of the programme scheduled for October 5 to 8.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Johnson Erijo, the governor said his administration would continue to pursue an inclusive approach to governance and ensure that persons with disabilities and other vulnerable residents were not excluded from government programmes and opportunities.
Oborevwori commended the association for conducting its advocacy peacefully and assured its members that the state government remained committed to creating an environment in which all residents could participate irrespective of their circumstances.
He said the presence of a sign language interpreter from the Ministry of Women Affairs during the engagement demonstrated the government’s willingness to facilitate communication and engagement with persons with hearing impairment.
The governor said his administration was already aware of the planned awareness activities and had taken steps towards supporting their successful implementation.
He asked the association to forward any additional information concerning the programme to his office, promising to liaise with the Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure appropriate coordination and government support.
Oborevwori also appealed to the organisers and participants to maintain peace throughout the awareness campaign, reiterating the state’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the welfare and inclusion of residents.
Earlier, Nwani, who communicated through sign language interpreted by Felicity Okenyi of the Ministry of Women Affairs, said the delegation was at Government House to formally inform the state government about the 2026 Deaf Awareness Week and the South-South Deaf People Summit.
He said the events, scheduled for October 5 to 8, would provide an opportunity to draw greater public attention to issues affecting deaf persons and promote discussions around their rights and participation in society.
Nwani identified education, healthcare and involvement in government policymaking among areas requiring greater attention to ensure that deaf persons could participate more fully in community and public life.
The engagement is expected to provide an avenue for the deaf community and government stakeholders to discuss practical measures for improving accessibility and strengthening inclusion across the state.
Delta has previously used government engagements with the deaf community to highlight its inclusive-governance policy. In 2024, Governor Oborevwori, through his Chief of Staff, assured representatives of the Delta State Association of the Deaf that their concerns would be considered as part of the state’s inclusion efforts. Timeline
