•Immigration Service personnel
A visually impaired resident of Sokoto, Umar Muhammad, has explained why he applied for a position with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) despite losing his sight nearly two decades ago.
Muhammad, now 25, was blinded by ritualists in 2006 at the age of six, reports Daily Trust.
Refusing to allow the ordeal to derail his ambitions, he pursued his education, earning a National Certificate in Education (NCE) from the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
He is currently studying for a degree at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Speaking to our correspondent, Muhammad said he was optimistic about his chances in the NIS recruitment exercise, citing the law that mandates five per cent of government employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
“People may wonder why I applied for a job in a law enforcement agency, but there are administrative and office-based roles that do not require field work,” he said.
He added, “I can work effectively as a computer operator or in secretarial duties. With the new law allocating five per cent of government jobs to persons with disabilities, I am confident I have a fair chance.”
Muhammad noted that this was not his first attempt at securing government employment.
He recalled receiving an appointment into the Sokoto State Civil Service towards the end of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s administration, but was among those revoked by the present administration for some reasons.
Nonetheless, he reapplied and recently sat for the online examination conducted for the 3,000 available state civil service positions.
“I am hopeful because, by law, five per cent of these positions — about 150 slots — should go to people with special needs.
“I am encouraged that the recruitment committee included a dedicated section for persons with disabilities in the application form. It shows commitment and raises our hopes for fair consideration,” he said.
