SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS ARE NOT ENOUGH!

By 'Biola Funwontan

I have a jolly good friend with whom we graduated from the Federal College Of Education (Special) Oyo, Oyo State. He is OLADOSU ABDUL LATEEF OPEYEMI by name. Popularly Known as Monitor. 

Monitor would go on to demonstrate a lot of remarkable characteristics about him, but he would mostly distinguish himself as having remarkable skills in the execution of sign language. Even without having any apparent forms of disability. He acquired the sign language skills and became so brilliant enough to be supplanted as interpreter for deaf students in the absence of official interpreters during school days at FCE(S),Oyo.

After school, Monitor would not wish to pursue  further education immediately. He would apply and be hired as an interpreter in the department of Special Education of the University Of Ilorin.
 Magnificent!

I recently shared a chat with Monitor after a long period of separation and we had enough to discuss as concerned both the University of Ibadan and University of Ilorin. We were especially interested in the departments of Special Education and the disparities between their operations in each school. To this, Monitor had made a very interesting revelation. That the Special Education department of the University of Ilorin has more than twenty interpreters to cater for its needs and the management are on the look out to hire more.

Interesting! 

Away from the feelings of prejudice and envy, I have begun to compare the both schools in my own moments of deep introspection and I have come to a number of conclusions. The University of Ibadan might be the best but it is sorely lacking in a number of ways that are vital and this harbors significant consequences with far reaching effects still latent at best.

It rubs off very badly on the department of Special Education of such a widely acknowledged school to have produced in its employment only a pitiful five number of interpreters. It is not enough to share the huge responsibilities between them.  There is a crying need for more sign language interpreters in the department of Special Education.

Looking on the positive side, perhaps this apparent setback has not gone unnoticed by the powers that be, and the most concerted efforts in earnest have been carefully put into place to turn the messy state of things around for the better. 

Then maybe we would no more have to feel inferior on any front as compared to our rivals, the University of Ilorin, which despite its commendable league of academic excellence garnered over the record of time, cannot hold a candle to us. Not even close !

WE ARE THE FIRST AND THE BEST.

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