Unemployed graduates with disabilities in Kogi State have appealed to Governor Ahmed Ododo to enforce the state’s Disability Law, which reserves six per cent of public sector recruitments for persons with disabilities.
The group, operating under the umbrella of Applicants/Workers with Disabilities in Kogi State, said the provision had yet to be effectively implemented across the state’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, leaving many qualified graduates without jobs.
In a statement issued to newsmen in Lokoja on Friday, the group’s president, Samuel Mark, said members held various academic qualifications, including First Class and Second Class Upper degrees, NCEs, National Diplomas and Master’s degrees, but remained unemployed and dependent on family and charity.
“Many of our members have First Class, Second Class Upper divisions, NCE, ND and Master’s degrees, but are still at home, depending on family and charity,” he said.
Mark noted that persons with disabilities faced additional financial and physical burdens in accessing education, including the cost of assistive devices, guides and transportation. He said the passage of the Disability Law had raised hopes that education would translate to employment, but the absence of enforcement had undermined that promise.
He added that unemployment had made it harder for members to afford essential devices and healthcare, including wheelchairs, white canes, hearing aids and medication.
The group urged the governor to demonstrate political will by directing the recruitment of qualified persons with disabilities into the state civil service, stressing that their appeal was for equal opportunity rather than sympathy.
“Give us jobs and you will give us dignity,” Mark said, adding that gainful employment would reduce dependence on government assistance and family support and enable members to contribute meaningfully to society.
