Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, has inaugurated training for religious leaders on sign language use to promote inclusivity across religious spaces in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja, Mr Kaigama said the six-month initiative would be implemented by an agency of the Catholic Church, Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative.  

He said the programme aims to equip clerics of all faiths with sign language skills, enabling them to better serve persons with hearing impairments in their communities.

The archbishop noted that sign language is a valuable tool for ministry and a practical demonstration of love and inclusion.

 The cleric said, “This programme will foster greater inclusion of persons with hearing impairments within religious and social settings.’’ 

Mr Kaigama added that it could transform religious engagement with the deaf community and promote their full integration into society.

Executive Director of JDPCI, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, thanked Mr Kaigama for the trust placed in the organisation to deliver the landmark programme.

Mr Sanni said that the training would receive technical and financial backing from Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International.

He explained that the initiative includes both virtual and in-person sessions and would lead to certification for the participating clerics.

 Participants include Catholic priests, pastors, and Muslim clerics, making it the first interfaith sign language training for religious leaders in Nigeria.

In her remarks, Inclusion Coordinator at the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, Ekaete Umoh, praised the programme’s alignment with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS).

Her speech, delivered by JDPC’s Programme Director, Timothy Ejeh, described the project as a timely and welcome initiative.

Ms Umoh stated, “We commend JDPC’s innovative approach to ensuring full participation of persons with disabilities in society.’’ 

She noted that the initiative directly supports the UNDIS goal of fostering inclusive practices across all sectors of life.

Ms Umoh encouraged JDPC to deepen engagement with stakeholders and pledged UN support for strategic partnerships promoting inclusivity.

 She expressed hope that the programme would benefit persons with disabilities, their families, and the broader society.

Murshid of the National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Galadanci, also praised the initiative as a major step towards disability inclusion in religious life.

Represented by Haroun Eze, Mr Galadanci urged religious leaders to become more responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.

He pledged support to amplify disability inclusion efforts within the Muslim community nationwide.

Goodwill messages came from national and international organisations, including the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and CBM International.

Others included CAFOD, Disability Rights Fund, Sightsavers, and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

 Additional support came from the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPwD), UFUK Dialogue Foundation, and SIEDI. All the messages recognised the programme as a beacon of hope and a vital step towards upholding the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

(NAN)