The Ekiti state government have committed to implementing the 5% employment quota has contained in Part VI, sections 28 and 29 of the Ekiti State Disability law in subsequent recruitment exercise.
This was made known by the Chairman, Ekiti State Civil Service Commission, Sir Olubunmi Famosaya (MNI) during an advocacy visit paid to the leadership of the commission by a team from Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI).
The visit was part of the ongoing project called Advocacy for Inclusion being implemented by DINABI Nigeria aimed at strengthening the understanding of duty bearers on the concept of inclusion.
It also aimed at encouraging duty bearers to allow for the full participation and inclusion of PWDs in all societal issues while also increasing awareness on disability rights and issues across board. It also seeks to influence policies of government in a manner that factors in inclusion and active participation of PWDs in its development and implementation.
The Executive Director of DINABI Nigeria, Olajide Funso took members of the commission through some basic concept of disability while also highlighting some of the challenges being faced by persons with disabilities in our society.
He also applauded the state government on some of its achievement towards inclusion such as the passage and signing of the Ekiti State Disability Law. He stressed further on the need to implement every section of the law to bring succor to persons with disabilities in the state especially as it relates to employment opportunities and equal right to work.
The chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Ekiti State chapter, Mr Kayode Owolabi who accompanied the DINABI Team to the commission stressed on the need to implement the 5% employment quota as contained in the law.
He also called for an inclusive recruitment examination exercise especially for the visually impaired and persons with albinism in the areas of providing for brailed question papers and tools required by them to participate in the examinations independently.
Owolabi also called for the establishment of a desk office in the commission to be saddled with the responsibility of attending to persons with disabilities who may have complaints or questions.
The chairman of the commission, Sir Olubunmi Famosaya who spoke on behalf of other members pledged to always ensure the implementation of the 5% employment quota in any subsequent recruitment exercise.
He said though the commission is always constrained by other criteria for recruitment such as merit, gender, Local government spread, etc, the law must however be obeyed.
He said the commission have always committed to prioritizing persons with disabilities and will continue to do so. He urged the community of persons with disabilities to continually be at peace with the government as the Dr John Kayode Fayemi led administration is committed to making life better for them without any form of discrimination or rejection.
The Permanent Secretary of the commission, Mrs Olabisi Akindele appreciated the timeliness of the visit and encourage the management of DINABI to continue to do its good works. She promised to always give support to DINABI and the entire community of persons with disabilities whenever and wherever she can.
Also present at the meeting were the Commissioners II, III and IV of the Civil Service Commission, Elder S. O. Kayode, Hon (Mrs) Olajumoke Olaniyan and Alhaji Azeez Awolokun respectively alongside top management members of the commission.
