Members of the Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), specifically, the Deaf cluster has lauded the government of his Excellency, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode. They showered appreciation on the Governor who just recently employed 250 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) into the mainstream of the state and local government service, INN reports.
The qualified PWDs members who were beneficiaries of the 250 jobs slot took time to show their appreciation to the disability-friendly Gov Ambode.
Having undergone rigorous screening, interview and departmental clearance from their various Ministries, they are now familiarizing themselves with the scope and work of their mother ministries.
INN reporter got in touch with some of them to get their diverse opinions on their new jobs and what challenges they may be facing, if any.
Read on
Mrs Oluwaseun Akinnigbagbe, a Deaf mother of one and a BSc holder in Sociology, who now works with the ministry of Youth and Social Development as Welfare Officer, did not hide her gratitude as she recalled her harrowing experience in the labour market in her quest to be gainfully employed. She showered praise on Gov Ambode for counting her useful to the society. She recalled with an air of satisfaction her experience from the inception of her selection, screening, interview and subsequent integration into the civil service. She says ” …challenges were minimal because those who attended to us were very professional and considerate in dealing with us. My colleagues at work are very helpful and encouraging. I didn’t felt any form of discrimination. Indeed Lagos is working; permit me to use this medium to say a big ‘thank you’ to our amicable gov Ambode, she told INN reporter.
In the same vein, Mr Kingsley Njoku, another Deaf person, a B.A holder in English Language, from the ministry of Information and Strategy, lauded the all inclusive government of Gov. Ambode. He told INN saying: “I am happy that we have a listening governor (Mr Ambode) who has the interest of special people at heart. I am encouraged by his kind gesture to be more dedicated in whatever task assigned to me. His diversification and all inclusiveness leaves me in awe and I am honoured and proud to be a lagosian. I have worked in different organizations in the past; issues of discrimination and nepotism were rife and a common thing then; the challenges as a person with hidden disability are always there, chiefly is the issue of communication. From my colleagues within the ministry of information and strategy, I see professionalism in dealing with special person like us, they were nice, understanding and challenge me to be the best I can. And whenever the challenge of communication comes up orally they resort to communicate with me in a written form. I really felt loved and at home with this. Many thanks to my disability-friendly governor, Mr Ambode”, he summed up
Also, Mr Ekundayo Sejoro, a Deaf too with a Bachelor degree in Education and an M.Ed in Special Education, who is now with the ministry of Education. He is the founder and brain behind The Inclusive News Network (INN), a news publishing site he runs on social media. He has this to say to our INN reporter when asked of his opinion about Gov Ambode’s system of administration, “Gov Ambode is the best governor we have in Nigeria at the moment and an all inclusive disabled-friendly governor. If all governors in Nigeria and President Buhari could emulate the inclusive-mindedness of Gov Ambode’s government, Nigeria would at least be better for us all. He however voiced his challenges in course of screening, interview and placement; he says “It was somehow difficult because we had to wait for a while and some of us need job more than others. We thank the government for the jobs but they should encourage us to participate in working in other fields not just teaching jobs”.
Adding her voice was Mrs Ruth Omopariola, a Deaf mother of two and B.Ed holder in Guidance and Counseling. She is with the Ministry of Education at the moment. Recalling how smoothly and stress-free her screening and interview went, she didn’t felt any discrimination or antagonism in the course of doing her clearance. She thanked Gov Ambode for looking beyond her disability to make her useful to her family in particular, the society at large. She can now, at least, help support her family to meet their daily needs. She however lament the challenge of distance she has to cover coming to work which drain her meagre resources.
Yearning to show his appreciations also is Mr folajimi Mojeed, a Fine Applied Art graduate. He too in The Ministry of Education, is certified Fine Applied Art instructor. He felt happy that persons with disabilities are well recognized and accorded respect in Lagos. He says, ” When I heard the governor’s directive about giving qualified PWDs among us jobs into the civil service, I was doubting its authenticity because I knew most Government people and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) take advantage of persons with Disabilities. The unfolding events like the screening, interview and subsequent employment letter opened my eyes to reality. In short, I am happy and overjoyed that Gov Ambode’s inclusive government proved me wrong. I didn’t witness any discrimination or prejudice till this very moment. The efforts of our amicable Gov Ambode is laudable. I can now take responsibility in my family as some one whose existence has been given a meaning”, he summed up.
Finally, Miss Esther Aweda, Mr Adetoba Mayaleke, Mauyon Mobee and Onilaja Taiwo, who are all NCE holders respectively and are all within the Ministry of Education too, begged to be heard. They were glad to be given the chance to serve the Lagos State government under the amiable leadership of the disabled-friendly Gov Ambode.
They recalled that they were rigorously screened and interviewed before been selected into the civil service. Mr Mayaleke said that he and others have been assigned to various tasks. He wants their civil service department to call up those that are yet to be given their employment letter as soon as possible so that they can feel participation and fulfillment as civil servant.