Obasanjo pledges jobs to the physically challenged, employs blind graduate
From Charles Ogugbuaja,
Owerri
IT was cheery news for physically challenged persons yesterday as President Olusegun Obasanjo pledged his administration's commitment to employing them gainfully.
And in demonstration of this, the President offered automatic employment to a blind 31-year-old Mass Communication graduate, Mr. Captain Nwachuwu.
President Obasanjo also called on states and local councils to take a cue from this.
These took place on the last day of the President's two-day visit to Imo State during an interactive session at the Government House, Owerri.
Obasanjo said it was erroneous for people to think that the physically-challenged were deliberately denied employment opportunities.
Responding to a question from Nwachukwu, President Obasanjo noted that it was unfortunate that Nwachukwu became blind at the age of two, stressing, however, that his gesture should not propel others to think that government would employ all.
His words: "It is the policy of the government that every ministry must employ disabled people. Every state is supposed to have the same policy. You have made passionate appeal and we are going to employ you."
Turning to his Special Assistant (Media), Mrs Remi Oyo, he said: "Please bring him. Don't tell me he has not done well here. We will make him do well."
On the call for the appointment of a Minister of Petroleum, the President made it clear that he would not appoint anyone to head the ministry for now.
"I am not giving it to anybody", Obasanjo said, adding that the government was particularly monitoring the petroleum and transport sectors.
On youth employment, Obasanjo promised the Imo State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ukachi Ekenulo, to study the document on the bill signed to law on the matter.
He said his government would continue to accord the youth enviable status in the nation.
He also explained, while answering another question, that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has a policy to discipline any erring or perceived erring member through due process of the National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Council (NEC) and its National Convention, which is the highest.
Seeking redress on matters of the party in the courts, he explained, is still under ban.
According to him, discipline through appropriate channels remains in force.
The President's stance was in apparent reply to a party woman who appealed that the suspended Imo State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Alex Obi, be recalled, having toiled for the party in elections.
The President later commissioned the ultra-modern Imo University Teaching Hospital, Umuna Orlu, inspected the Imo International Market, Orlu, and Umuago erosion site in Ideato North.
President Obasanjo was conducted round the sites by the state Governor, Achike Udenwa.
A state dinner was also organised for the President at the Sam Mbakwe Hall of Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri where the President urged Imo people to continue to maintain the peace and give the state government maximum support.
To the people the President emphasised hard work and perseverance to uplift the nation.
Before leaving for Port Harcourt, Rivers State, President Obasanjo visited Governor Udenwa's country home, Amaiseke, Orlu.
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