Fayose employs physically-challenged

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, on Tuesday gave automatic employment to 10 physically-challenged persons in the state, just as 35 wheelchairs were provided for them. The governor also said the state government would take over the treatment and upkeep of a five-year-old Olumide Enoch who suffers from palsy. The governor announced the gestures during an interactive session he had with the physically-challenged persons at the Governor's Office as part of activities to mark his first year in office. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said the employment opportunities would cut across different categories of people. Those to benefit from the employment are those with sight challenges, the albinos, the deaf and dumb among others. The governor also said the 10 persons should include six male and four female. One of the beneficiaries of the employment opportunities, Miss Ibitoye Helen, said she graduated from the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti in 2012 with a second class degree in English and Literary Studies and had been finding it difficult to make ends meet. "My parents are old and they live in Ilupeju-Ekiti and after they have suffered to send me to school, I have become a burden to them. Words have failed me to really expressed my appreciation to Governor Ayo Fayose. He has given me a lifeline and I pray that God will uphold him and grant him more successes in life," she said. Mrs Olumide, the mother of Enoch, said the family had drained all its resources in taking care of the boy. "You can see that I am shaking. This is a big support that I cannot fully appreciate with words. What the governor has done is like helping my family to survive. I pray that God will take our dear governor to higher level and be with him and his family," she said. The President, Physically-Challenged Persons Association, Ekiti State, Mr Ojo Peters, said what the governor did was unprecedented in the history of the state. "We have had governors in the past and we have not seen this type of concern for people's welfare like this. Truly, Governor Ayo Fayose is a kind man and a lover of the downtrodden. Some governors would have gone on a lavish celebration and not mind people like us," he noted. In his speech, Fayose challenged wealthy individuals and corporate bodies to come to the aid of such people. "Despite their limitations, they are human beings like us. We must not shun them. I want to express love to you as we mark the first anniversary of my government. The only thing we can do is to give you support. You voted for me and I am assuring you that I will appreciate you," he said. The governor said homes and special schools for the people would also be adequately taken care of.