TQM report,
In a bid to drive inclusive education and employment, the management of Arthur Jarvis University has, on Tuesday, announced total support with scholarships, donations and employment opportunities for children and members of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Cross River State chapter.
This was made known during an official visit by the University Management to executive and members of JONAPWD in Calabar.
Speaking on the essence of the visit, the Chancellor, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, recalled that when the University was in her birthing stage, his aspirations have always been to provide platforms that promote inclusiveness. He added strongly that the visit was a dream come true.
“…before the license for the University was signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wrote in my diary that we have to collaborate with persons with disability on Cross River State” he added.
Sir Jarvis, touched by the stories of stigmatization of members, expressed that the challenges facing persons with disabilities are enormous and should not be left in the hands of government alone as private individuals and institutions have vital roles to play.
While addressing the challenge of unemployment amongst persons with disabilities by extending employment opportunities to accommodate the five percent employment benchmark issued by National Disability Act section 8 subsection 5c passed into law in 2018 by the National Assembly, the University Management further pledged to be part of all activities of JONAPWD. This was done alongside financial donations to support the activities of the association.
While addressing the challenge of unemployment amongst persons with disabilities by extending employment opportunities to accommodate the five percent employment benchmark issued by National Disability Act section 8 subsection 5c passed into law in 2018 by the National Assembly, the University Management further pledged to be part of all activities of JONAPWD. This was done alongside financial donations to support the activities of the association.
Executive members of the association were urged to profile the names of children of members who are qualified for university education as scholarships into any department of choice await them immediately.
The State Coordinator, Dr. Livinus Okpa, amazed by such gesture, expressed deep gratitude for the history made as first private institute to make such intervention and steps taken by the University to help assuage the issues facing members of JONAPWD.
“Thank you for choosing to be the feet to the lame, voice to the dumb, ears to the deaf and eyes to the blind” he solemnly expressed.
Other challenges experienced by persons living with disability, according to the State Chairman, include lack of office space for administrative duties, mobility for members and implementation of the National Disability Bill.
Other challenges experienced by persons living with disability, according to the State Chairman, include lack of office space for administrative duties, mobility for members and implementation of the National Disability Bill.
The University Management made it known that the donations, scholarships and job opportunities extended to the association will have ripple effects and will subsequently be addressed. In the same vein, the Chancellor made an appeal to become one of the patrons of the association.
JONAPWD is an umbrella organization of persons with disability established in Nigeria to promote the rights and development of Nigerians with disabilities. Adding that “the organization was established in 1992, to represent the interests of the teeming population of persons with disabilities at the local and international level.”
