'Harnessing Our Potentials Require Government Assistance’

The President of Brotherhood Society of the Deaf (BSD), Mr. Olu Ajayi, has stated that the assistance from the government and corporate bodies would help them  harness their potentials.
OLAOLU OLAOYE conducted this interview with him through written questions and answers method and the assistance of the interpreter, Clark Dennis Lawson. Excerpts:

What is the motive behind BSD?
It was formed primarily to protect the interest of the members and to prove the point that there is ability in disability. We want to let the society at large know that we need encouragement and assistance from government and corporate bodies.  So that we will be able to harness our potentials.
One of the reasons we formed it was to make sure that the deaf are educated and have better future. It came into being on March 3, 1999. We have headquarters here in Lagos and branch office in Delta State.
Since the formation of BSD, what have you achieved?
Honestly speaking, we have been unable to achieve much because of lack of funds and neglect by the government. We have various plans that can better the lives of our members. It is sad to note that Nigerian government has no scheme for the deaf.
What are  the challenges facing your group now?
We are faced with many problems today, ranging from lack of scholarship, joblessness, lack of adequate education and others.
The deaf in Nigeria have over the years been at the receiving ends. We suffer a lot due to the absence of any  programme to cater for our special needs.
Have you ever made your requests known to the government?
Yes, we have written series of letters but to no avail. We have made our case known to them, to give us job, both in Federal and State ministries but there is no positive result. Even, we were asked to write the deputy governor of Lagos State but we received no assistance. Some of the individuals and corporate bodies we wrote letters to promised to give us feedback but they have failed us. In a related development, we forwarded our request to the Lagos State Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development. As I am speaking to you now, nothing has been done.
What we are trying to do now is to appeal to the government and the society at large to come to our  rescue. I am appealing to the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on behalf of BSD to assist us. I believe if our request can get to him, he would do something to change our plight. We want jobs, we can work in offices and other places.
The able society and charitable organisation should help the deaf men and women in order to enable them establish small scale businesses and finance their education. I must confess, Lagos State government tried in the past, especially in the era of Tinubu.
Despite the fact that we have branch office in Delta State, the government there has not touched our lives.
What are the qualification of some of your members?
Some of us are HND and university graduates. Those who are not graduates have Diploma in Computer and still want to further their studies if they get funds.
What is the numerical strength of BSD?
We have 2,800 members in Lagos and 4,320 members in Delta State.
Your profile?
I am the 5th male in my family. My parents are retired civil servants. I attended Wesley School II for the Deaf. I also have Diploma Certificate in Computer.
When did you become deaf?
I was born a normal child but I lost my hearing aid when I was five years old.
What do you think was responsible for that?
My parents told me that my deafness was caused as a result of measles.
Do you have any regret being deaf?
 No. There is no regret. I think, for any situation there is a reason. For me to be like this, God has  reason for that. So, I always give glory to Him. Despite all my plights, I believe that God loves me. He gave me beautiful wife and daughter. Not only that, He is the one who preserves my life till this moment.