FG directs TV stations to deploy sign language interpreters during news
The federal government has directed TV stations to deploy sign language interpreters during their major news casting in line with the National Broadcasting Code.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave the directive on Monday in Abuja during a virtual meeting with the officials of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).
The minister said that the directive would be officially communicated to all public and private TV stations on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the directive was sequel to a complaint by the Executive Director of CCD, David Anyaele that many of their members were being discriminated against without the sign language component during news casting.
Mr. Anyaele who was physically present at the meeting, said he was making the request on behalf of the 31 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
The minister noted that the sign language component during news casting was backed by the NBC code and the directive would go out to TV stations to comply with the provision.
He assured that his ministry would collaborate with the Centre in the implementation of the relevant sections of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr. Mohammed said he was glad that some states had domesticated the Law, particularly Lagos and Ekiti states that were meeting with the imperatives of the Act.
He said the body must be proactive in ensuring the implementation of the provision of the Act that all public organisations are to reserve at least five percent of employment opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWD).
The Disability Act prohibits all forms of discrimination on ground of disability.
The Act imposes fine of N1 million for corporate bodies and N100,000 for individuals or a term of six months imprisonment for violation.
The law, among others, prohibits discrimination in public transportation facilities and directs service providers to make provision for the physically, visually and hearing impaired and all persons howsoever challenged.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Uncategorized
It could take 80 years to rebuild Gaza homes Israeli military destroyed: UN
Assuming that a minimum of 992 houses were built annually, the United Nations has projected that it would take at least 80 years to reconstruct the homes and infrastructure destroyed by the Israeli
Economy
Naira falters again, losing value by 0.8% against dollar
At the Investor’s and Exporter’s (I&E) window, the naira traded between 1,445.00 and N1,299.42 against the dollar.
Health
WHO inaugurates vaccination in Niger to contain meningitis epidemic
Unlike previous jabs, the new meningitis vaccine is single-dose and protects against five strains of the infection.
Agriculture
UNESCO advocates access to scientific information to protect earth
UNESCO has called for access to reliable scientific information to protect the planet and mitigate the effects of climate change globally.
World
Putin’s Russia using chemical weapons to attack Ukrainian soldiers: U.S.
Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, condemned the accusations and called them “odious and unsubstantiated.”
States
Uzodimma promises uninterrupted electricity supply as Imo businesses collapse, unemployment rises
“There is absolutely limited or even no supply; businesses are dying every day, and people are losing every day with the unemployment market swelling every day,” Mr Uzodimma said.