The Kogi State chapter of the National Association of Applicants and Workers with Disabilities (NAAWD) at the weekend presented federal appointment letters to three of its members, drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state.
The presentation, which held on Saturday, September 27, was described by the association as a step towards tackling unemployment among graduates with disabilities.
Presenting the letters, President of the association, Comrade Samuel Mark, said the gesture was the product of consistent advocacy aimed at improving the welfare of persons with disabilities in the state. He commended the Management of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Okene, for complying with provisions of the disability law in its recent recruitment exercise.
Mark also acknowledged former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Governor Yahaya Bello for laying the foundation for the protection of PWDs through relevant legislation, but lamented that implementation remained weak as many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were yet to fully comply.
“This is a milestone for our members, but much still needs to be done. Implementation has been the problem. Many heads of MDAs are unwilling to comply with the disability law. We urge our members who have benefited to be good ambassadors of the community, Kogi State, and Nigeria at large,” he said.
He assured other members still awaiting opportunities that the association remained determined to secure employment for more qualified persons with disabilities.
The NAAWD president, however, faulted a recent press release by the state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, who had described a peaceful protest by persons with disabilities at Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, as politically motivated.
According to Mark, such remarks were “politics taken too far,” adding that the demonstration was a genuine reaction to the violation of disability recruitment laws by the institution.
“The commissioner’s statement was disappointing. The protest was peaceful and borne out of marginalisation. Associating it with politics is an attempt to silence our community,” Mark said.
He stressed that citing only three persons with disabilities as staff of the institution was not compliance, given the number of workers recruited, and warned against narratives that PWDs were unqualified for available positions.
Mark further appealed to Governor Usman Ododo to direct all MDAs in the state to implement the disability law in full, insisting that the real test of good governance was in policy implementation.
The association also listed other appointments it had facilitated for indigenes of the state across different federal institutions, including NAFDAC, NARSDA, National Population Commission, National Human Rights Commission, NIWA, SON, Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the National Assembly Commission, among others.
Mark said the achievements were not just for the beneficiaries but “to the glory of Kogi State, as they add to the prosperity of the state.”
The former Board Chairman of the Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs and North Central Coordinator of Applicants and Workers with Disabilities, Hon. Ibrahim Arome, has lauded the Federal College of Education, Okene, for offering employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Arome urged heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Kogi State to emulate the Provost of the College by implementing government policies that promote inclusiveness and welfare. He noted that any official who fails to align with such policies cannot be regarded as a true representative of Governor Usman Ododo’s administration, whose priority is to improve the lives of citizens, especially the vulnerable.
The disability advocate further stressed that the Association of Applicants and Workers with Disabilities would not relent in its sensitisation efforts and would not hesitate to challenge any institution that attempts to deny persons with disabilities their rights.
Arome also appealed to Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to strengthen support for persons with disabilities by ensuring full implementation of the Kogi State Disability Law.
In a related development, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Kogi State chapter, Hon. Solomon Yahaya, also commended FCE Okene for adhering to the law.
He, however, urged the state government to put mechanisms in place to ensure all MDAs comply, warning that rising unemployment among PWDs was discouraging parents from sending their children to school.
“If young people with disabilities cannot access jobs after schooling, many will turn to street begging or other vices inimical to society,” Yahaya said.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustained advocacy until the disability law is fully implemented across all tiers of government in the state.
