Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
As part of concerted effort to promote social inclusion opportunities for public servants and political appointees at state and local government levels, the Ekiti State Government has launched a sign language training session through the ‘EKSG Special Education and Social Inclusion’ Facebook channel.
The Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion , Princess Adetoun Agboola, who made this known in Ado-Ekiti during the inaugural sign language training for public servants in Ado Ekiti
lauded the State Government’s commitment to social inclusion.
She expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji for approving the training program, highlighting the government’s focus on ensuring that individuals with disabilities, particularly those with hearing impairment ,can freely communicate in their environments.
In a statement by the Director of Press Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education Social Inclusion Mr Femi Bamisaye the programme was organized for Civil Servants to effectively mainstream the basic rudiments of sign language as this initiative would allow workers, even from the comfort of their offices, to communicate seamlessly with their deaf colleagues.
The online training drew a substantial audience, including public servants and individuals from both local and international spheres, demonstrating widespread acceptance and commendations for Oyebanji’s forward-thinking initiative.
The State Head of Service, Engr Sunday Komolafe while participating from his Office, commended the training as a laudable development, symbolizing unity with an expression of emogi handshake.
Live participants from destinations such as Canada, USA, Scotland, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, among others lauded Governor Oyebanji for the initiative, stressing the positive emotional impacts of the programmeb on the deaf community and called for the extension of the training to primary and secondary schools.
She disclosed that there were requests for intensive sign language training for medical staff to enhance service delivery to people with hearing impairment
Meanwhile, the State Government has issued a circular through the Office of the Establishment and Service Matters, directing all public servants to participate in the Facebook training program, indicating their names and ministries during each session, adding that good performances will be rewarded during the training.