Serving Corper That  Donates  101 wheelchairs To Physically Impaired Secured Automatic Job In Nasarawa State

Rabiu Omaku

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has given an automatic job to a serving youth corps member, an indigene from Ebonyi State, Nwanga Johnhilary Chikumaga (NS/23A/0960) for donating one hundred and one units of wheelchairs to persons Living with Disabilities.

The member’s hands of fellowship were part of his community service to the people of Nasarawa State.

The Governor made the pronouncement while distributing the wheelchairs to Persons Living with Disabilities cut across communities in the State, 

The Governor, however, directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to accord employment to Persons Living with Disabilities, He further maintained that he would mandate the MDAs to provide accessibility to PLWD.

The Governor appreciated the youth corps member for his agility and laudable initiative, as he directed the Head of the Civil Service, Abigail Waya to liaise with the Commissioner, Ministry for Special Duties, Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs, Hon Magaret Elayo, to properly place Chikumaga in the State civil service.

“I want to thank you sincerely for the wonderful job that you are doing.  When all of us served in the youth service, we wanted to excel and do something special that we could be identified with. You have already paid your dues. You have already identified yourself as someone who has a lot of commitment, selflessness, and initiative for this country.

“For you to leave Ebonyi State to come to another State, Other people would have said, let me acquire all these wheelchairs, 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 to 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 form the core responsibilities of her ministry.

The Commissioner announced that in line with the commitment of the Federal Government to 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 academic and professional development but also in fostering community engagement and sustainable impact, with Chikumaga’s initiative exemplifying the spirit of selflessness, and 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.