In this second of the Allies series, I talk with Gbenga Emmanuel Adefala, a young minister, tech enthusiast and volunteer with the Voice for the Deaf Foundation (VDF) Deaf Bible Translation team. When we met barely three years ago, Gbenga was new to the Deaf community and had zero sign language skills. A couple of years, his progress astonished the VDF team – even himself. With sign language, a new level of solidarity with Deaf individuals began. But, beyond knowing to sign, Gbenga demonstrates an unusual level of commitment and conscientiousness to his work with Deaf people and projects that echoes the Allies concept. He describes allyship as “being human”
In this interview, he shares what drives him on the journey of allyship, plus nuggets picked along the way.
Alex: I will begin with you telling us a bit about yourself, and what prompted your involvement with disability?
Gbenga: I am Adefala Gbenga Emmanuel, a graduate of the University of Lagos. I am a tech and administrative enthusiast; also a minister of the gospel. My involvement with Deaf and Deaf-blind persons still looks like a dream to me. About five years ago, I never thought I would be so deeply involved with disability. All I can say: ‘God wrote this, and I am so glad to be in the story. It all began sometime in December 2022. My uncle, Mr Adefala Alaba, who is Deaf and runs a Foundation, Voice for The Deaf Foundation (VDF), invited me to an event for the Deaf community. That was my first experience in a gathering of Deaf people. To be honest, I felt lost in that gathering. It made me understand communication disconnect that Deaf people feel in the midst of non-signing, hearing people. It was a deep experience.
Alex: Was there a specific moment when you decided to commit to involvement with disabled people?
Gbenga: It was during the December, 2022 event that I made the decision in my heart to actively get involved with the Deaf community. Seeing the way Deaf people interacted among themselves in sign language… the way interpreters understood them, I was like: “I want to be a part of this.”
Alex: Your progress with sign language was amazing. Can you say something about it?
Gbenga: Pauses and smiles… It is a surprise and shock to me and those who know me. As mentioned earlier, I was lost in that first gathering of Deaf people. My uncle and his wife (both Deaf) played a huge role in my sign language learning process. I will not forget the impact of interpreters – Fasanya, Adekunle and Dogo, who would intentionally stop interpreting so I could follow the signs intuitively. I didn’t like this method, but it was a brilliant way to learn… I’d say constant engagement with Deaf gatherings really fostered my growth. However, I can’t fully comprehend it all… I just know that I can now sign, and that God is involved.
Alex: How would you define allyship in context of disability?
Gbenga: “Human, I will describe it as being human.” To be human is to love. And love means that whenever I am in a position to help someone with limits of access to something which I have unrestricted access to, I must lend a helping hand. I ally with Deaf and Deaf-blind people through Bible literacy. Deaf people have limited access to the Bible. By God’s grace, I have been involved in projects where I helped bridge access gaps to facilitate better understanding of the Bible by the Deaf. I will describe allyship with the disability community as being human.
Alex: What drives your continuing commitment to disability causes, or more precisely, Deaf causes?
Gbenga: It is compassion. I feel “compassion” best describes my drive. As a minister I have a deep passion within to ensure I do all I can, in my own way, to bridge the gaps of communication and access to the God’s word for the Deaf community. And God has been greatly helping me to achieve this. I thank God.
Alex: What specific values guide your approach to allyship? Tell us about them.
Gbenga: Compassion, love, and understanding. For example, there’s much societal stigmatization of the Deaf – a result of lack of exposure, lack of understanding, and an unwilling heart to see the ability in the disability. If hearing persons can become more compassionate, loving, understanding, I believe allyship will increase and Deaf individuals will be more involved in society, not as objects of pity, but as equally having potentials for contributing positively to the society.
Alex: How has your involvement with disability shaped your views on inclusion, access, etc for persons with disability?
Gbenga: My involvement with the Deaf community shows an intelligent people – smart, fragile, unique, jovial, and full of potentials. I know of Deaf individuals portraying the Deaf community in bad light, but, beyond this, I have come to see the community in a different light from societal perceptions. That said, I don’t like them perceived as objects of pity, etc. They should rather be invested in, empowered. Their education should be intentional, they should be included in decision making in all spheres of administration and their potentials should be harnessed. The church, for example, shouldn’t see Deaf faithfuls as just needing welfare packages. There should be intentionality about their spiritual growth (this isn’t just about interpreting. It means personal discipleship) while actively involving them in church decision making.
Alex: What specific actions have you taken or plan to take, that you feel will have meaningful impact on disability justice?
Gbenga: Currently, I have not taken any action on disability justice. But there’s a principle I believe is central to ensuring disability justice: The disability community is not a lesser or weaker community – and should not be treated as such. They are equal just as every other human… therefore, should not be neglected when it comes to full inclusion in every aspect of society.
Alex: What challenges have you faced as an ally of persons with disabilities?
Gbenga: One challenge, and I will say is common in virtually every relationship is misunderstanding. There are times when both parties seem to be misunderstood. But proper dialogue solves things.
Alex: Can you share a story or moment where you saw the impact of your allyship?
Gbenga: Certainly, there have been impactful moments. By God’s grace, I am the video production specialist for a Deaf Bible translation project here in Nigeria. Often, after bible translation sessions, the Deaf translators testify to being edified. They share how the Bible becomes clearer and more accessible to when translated in their heart language. That is impact! I love it each time they testify and I’m glad to be part of a project that has lasting impact.
Alex: Can you share important insights from your involvement with the community?
Gbenga: One important thing I’ve learnt is: “To make great impact and to get the best of members of the community, one must be patient, loving, and easy on them.”
Alex: Any advice to someone who wants to support people with disabilities and their cause?
Gbenga: Let passion and compassion be your drive – not money. Respect the community and never treat them as a lesser or weaker entity. There are many organizations out there that you can join to begin your journey as an ally. I will repeat: “Do not pursuit allyship with financial gain in mind.” Rather, be driven by love, passion, compassion and a sincere desire to make impact. Most importantly, be led by the Spirit.
Alex: What are the things you wish everyone understood about collaborating with, and supporting the disability community, what would it be?
Gbenga: Know that you are collaborating with humans like you – with potentials. It is possible you had better opportunities developing your own potentials. Do not because of that see persons with disabilities as lesser, instead strive to create an environment that help harness their potentials. Be very patient in collaborating with the Deaf community and do not see them as tools for actualizing selfish interests.
Alex: What more do you wish you could do?
Gbenga: I just wish to keep making impact every day, and contributing my quota with God’s help. I really want to see the Deaf community knowing God deeply and personally. I want to see them living out their full potentials.
Let love lead. Let God lead
1 John 4:20 – If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
“Allies” is a collaborative project with Madam Joy Bolarin, Executive Director, Jibore Impeccable Foundation, and anchored by Alexander Ogheneruemu (Disability writer)
