…directs MDAs to employ, create access for persons with disabilities
Governor Abdullahi Sule has offered automatic employment to a serving youth corper from Ebonyi State, Nwanga Johnhilary Chikumaga (NS/23A/0960) for facilitating the donation of one hundred and one wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities from across Nasarawa State, as part of his community service.
Governor Sule made the pronouncement while distributing the wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities drawn from across the state, in Lafia, on Wednesday.
This is just as the Governor directed ministries, departments and agencies of the state government to offer employment opportunities to persons living with disabilities, as according to him, that would mandate the MDAs to provide accessibility to persons living with disabilities.
While appreciating the youth corps member for his laudable initiative, Governor Sule directed the Head of the Civil Service, Abigail Waya to liaise with the Commissioner, Ministry for Special Duties, Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs, Hon Magret Elayo, with a view to properly placing Chikumaga in the state civil service.
The Governor equally donated five hundred thousand naira to Corper Chikumaga.
“I want to thank you sincerely for the wonderful job that you are doing. When all of us serve in the youth service, we wanted to excel and do something special that we can be identified with. You have already paid your dues. You have already identified yourself as someone who has a lot of commitment, selflessness, and initiatives for this country.
“For you to leave Ebonyi State to come in another state. Other people would have said, let me acquire all these wheel chairs, I will send them to my home state. I will talk to my governor. You decided that where you are serving is your home. This is the wonderful thing that the youth service is all about.
“And with that, I want to tell you that you have automatic employment in Nasarawa State. Because you have shown the fact that you don’t care where you are, it’s your home, and you are willing to work anywhere and support all the people there,” he stated.
The Governor further urged MDAs to make it a habit to offer employment to persons living with disabilities.
“Let us make it a habit to say that every ministry, department or agency, will have the opportunity to employ even if it’s one or two people. The moment you do that then you will have the responsibility to create the opportunity for them to have access to the building,” he added.
He equally appreciated all the persons living with disabilities benefiting from the donation, urging them to utilize the items for the purpose meant.
He called on the beneficiaries not to sell the wheelchairs.
In her remarks, Commissioner for Special Duties, Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs, Hon Magret Elayo, commended Governor Sule for his commitment towards inclusiveness.
Hon. Elayo equally commended the exceptional dedication of Corper Chikumaga for his tireless efforts to transform the lives of those living with disabilities.
She appreciated the Beautiful Gate Handicap Centre Jos, for generously donating the wheelchairs which is in line with the principles of humanitarianism and social services that forms the core responsibilities of her ministry.
The Commissioner announced that in line with the commitment of the Federal Government on inclusivity, the Federal Government has threatened to shut down all public and private buildings in Nigeria that violate the accessibility law on the movement of persons with disabilities effective January 2024.
She therefore called on Governor Sule to mandate all public and private offices within the state to observe the accessibility law on the movement of persons living with disabilities.
In a welcome address, Nasarawa State Coordinator of the National Youth Corp Service Scheme (NYSC), Alhaji Abdullahi Jikamshi, said the occasion was spearheaded by Chikumaga as part of his community service, where 101 wheelchairs would be distributed to benefiting persons living with disabilities.
Jikamshi said the essence of the NYSC lies not only in the academic and professional development but also in fostering community engagement and sustainable impact, with Chikumaga’s initiative exemplifying the spirit of selflessness, commitment to better the lives of the physically disabled persons.
He used the opportunity of the event to appreciate Governor Sule for personally witnessing the event, which demonstrated the commitment of his administration towards inclusivity and community development.
He also thanked the Beautiful Gate Handicap Centre Jos for supporting the NYSC, adding that so far, the organization has donated 236 wheelchairs since 2021.
