Umar Saleh Burra’s Journey from deafness to journalism
In its quest for inclusivity, Neptune Prime brings to you an exclusive interview with Umar Saleh Burra, a journalist with hearing impairment. Born and raised in Burra, Bauchi State, Nigeria, Umar has turned his personal challenges into a platform for advocacy and change. After losing his hearing to meningitis at a young age, he faced a world filled with silence, but it didn’t stop him from pursuing his passion for storytelling. Today, Umar is a journalist and editor for the Katagum Dailypost, ensuring the voices of the deaf community and people with disabilities are heard.
His journey from a student grappling with his new reality to a respected voice in media offers inspiration to all, highlighting that disability is not a barrier but a bridge to greater possibilities.
NP: Name, state of origin, educational background
My name is Umar Saleh Burra; I was born and raised in Burra, Ningi LG of Bauchi state.
I started my primary education at Budugu Primary School located in Burra. I then enrolled in Government Junior Secondary School Burra, then Government Secondary School Toro, and Aminu Saleh College of Education Azare, Bauchi State. I intend to further my education in the same institution; I got an offer as a classroom, so I need an (NCE) to further my education.
NP: Can you share your deafness journey with us? Were you born deaf, or did it happen to you later in life?
One night in 2010, when I was in primary school, I woke up complaining of a high fever. My mother gave me herbal medicine that was believed to cure fever. But my fever persisted till the following day. My family took me to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed me with meningitis and began treatment.
I spent a month in the hospital, unaware that I had lost my hearing. I only noticed that I rely on people’s mouth movements when they speak to decipher what they are saying. It never occurred to me that what was happening was my transition to deafness.
Then, one day, my elder brother Mohammed visited the hospital and said something to me, to which I didn’t respond. My mother then became worried about the situation, and she asked the doctors to test my hearing. The results confirmed that I had indeed become deaf.
That revelation traumatized my mother, she was always crying. I was then discharged from the hospital, and some neighbors encouraged my mother to take me to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, where I underwent different tests plus speech training.
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Following my ear surgery at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, I regained the ability to speak using my mouth, and people could understand me. However, their responses are faintly audible.
NP: What sound do you miss hearing most?
After losing my hearing, I felt sad and worried because I couldn’t hear my favorite sound, the Qur’an. I miss Tafsir, the call of the azhan, and Islamic school lessons. I still miss these important and beautiful sounds.
NP: What inspired you to be a journalist? How has your experience as a deaf journalist shaped your approach to storytelling?
I have been interested in journalism since my secondary school days when I saw people appear on TV or when I read in newspapers ideas and people’s stories.
When I was still at the Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare, I befriended a deaf journalist, Mallam Dayyabu Tanimu Azare, who has experience in journalism. He taught me the ethics of journalism and guided me on how to report stories.
Also, I participated in an online training organized by Inclusive News Network, a disability-focused newspaper across Nigeria, which gave me the training, exposure, and opportunity to become a disability reporter in Bauchi State for the platform. Today, I am an editor with the Katagum Dailypost, a local newspaper in Bauchi State.
NP: What unique perspectives or insights do you believe you bring to journalism as a deaf individual?
Being a journalist and a deaf person, I ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard. I also prove to people that a deaf person can be a journalist despite the journalists. Currently, we have only deaf journalists in our state, and we try our best to see how we can give impressive and lasting contributions to journalism.
NP: Has your deafness affected your social life, in terms of friendship and dating?
Yes, it has, but in a good way. I have a mutual understanding with all my friends. I have a strong bilateral relationship with deaf and hearing people. My impairment gives me the opportunity to relate with each group seamlessly.
NP: How do you navigate communication and ensure accuracy in your reporting, given the challenges of hearing loss?
Being a reporter with a hearing impairment is not an easy task. As a deaf reporter, I have to be very careful and focus more on the sign language interpreter in case the speaker can’t communicate in sign language to enable me to capture the points to be reported and published.
Sometimes I have to record videos of events and activities so that I can later jot down anything I’ve missed. So far there’s an interpreter, the reporting is easy.
This is one of the reasons why we have to be in front during any meeting or program, to avoid being blocked from seeing (instead of listening) and capturing the sign language interpreter.
NP: What tools or technologies have been most helpful in your educational and career journey?
When I became deaf, my family bought me a hearing aid to help me with my studies before I learned sign language. Sign language and Hearing aids are what I use for my educational and career journey.
NP: How do you address potential biases or misconceptions about deafness in your day-to-day life?
I haven’t faced biases or misconceptions in my community due to my hearing impairment, except for one person who recently mocked my condition, and added that I’m dull.
People have always shown me love and care more than I ever expected because of my condition. I think they have to understand that hearing loss is not a curse but a destiny. It can happen to anyone at any time.
NP: What advice would you give to others with hearing impairment?
Being deaf doesn’t mean the end of the world. I believe that everyone is unique, and I always advise people who have similar conditions to love themselves and have high self-esteem.
People with any kind of impairment should not allow society to make them feel less important. They should do whatever they are good at doing with a sense of pride. They shouldn’t look down on themselves, instead, they should work hard and be self-dependent to become a better citizen by contributing their quota towards the development of their respective communities. With patience, dedication, and courage, any person with a disability can be anything they want to be. Don’t let your disability limit you from achieving your dreams and career.
To all hearing-impaired people, know that deafness is not a defect but a source of connection. Imagine yourself deaf, growing up with a beautiful and unique language to communicate with the world.
NP: How do you think the media industry can better support and include deaf journalists?
By providing a language interpreter at every event or program. This will go a long way in supporting deaf journalists and hearing-impaired individuals in general. This will encourage deaf journalists to have better access to information, communication, understanding, and collaboration with other relevant agencies.
NP: In what ways do you advocate for increased representation and inclusivity of the deaf community in journalism?
As journalists, we used to call the attention of the government and other agencies for equal representation to all persons with disability in our state by ensuring our voices are being heard. We also collaborate with colleagues working in other popular media industries to help us call the attention of the government to provide the major needs of all persons with disabilities.
NP: What strategies do you use to ensure effective communication and collaboration with your colleagues and sources?
By using sign language. That’s my major communication channel. I also write on my phone when communicating with my colleagues and friends.
NP: How do you stay informed about current events and developments, and how do you ensure you have access to all relevant information?
I read. I observe. I socialize.
NP: What is your best food?
Rice and beans.
NP: What are your hobbies?
Reading, writing, traveling, watching deaf comedy, and football.
NP: Thank you for sparing your time to answer our questions
My pleasure.
In its commitment to inclusivity, Neptune Prime Media is dedicating this month to promoting content related to these two important causes: Hearing impairment and sickle cell disease. We invite you to share your stories, videos, and experiences—whether you are a patient, family member, or advocate. By amplifying your voice, we aim to foster greater awareness and understanding.
May Allah ease the struggles of all those affected by sickle cell disease and deafness. We look forward to hearing from you at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
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