The Ekiti State Government has committed to implementing the 5% Employment quota has contained in Part VI, sections 28 and 29 of the Ekiti State Disability law in the subsequent recruitment exercise.
The Chairman, Ekiti State Civil Service Commission, Sir Olubunmi Famosaya (MNI), made this comment during an advocacy visit paid to the commission’s leadership Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI).
The visit is part of the ongoing project called Advocacy for Inclusion implemented by DINABI Nigeria aimed at strengthening the understanding of duty bearers on the concept of inclusion.
The project also aims to encourage duty bearers to allow for the full participation and inclusion of PWDs in all societal issues while increasing awareness of disability rights and issues across the board.
The Executive Director of DINABI Nigeria, Olajide Funso, took members of the commission through some basic concepts 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 achievements towards inclusion, such as the passage and signing of the Ekiti State Disability Law.
The DINABI boss further stressed the need to implement every section of the law to assist persons with disabilities in the state, especially regarding 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 the need to implement the 5% employment quota as contained in the law.
Mr Owolabi also called for an inclusive recruitment examination exercise, especially for the visually impaired and persons with albinism, in providing for brailed question papers and tools required by them to participate in the examinations independently.
He further called for the establishment of a desk officer 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 always to ensure the implementation of the 5% employment quota in any subsequent recruitment exercise.
Mr Famosaya 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 has always prioritised persons with disabilities and will continue to do so.
He further 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.
Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Commissioner, 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.