A 37-year-old visually impaired educationist, Onodiong Usen, from Akwa Ibom State, has expressed disappointment after being excluded from the state government's teaching appointments despite his impressive performance in the civil service Computer-Based Test (CBT). Mr. Usen scored 80% in the CBT and answered the question put to him during the oral interview. He expected his performance to earn him an appointment, given that he met the minimum requirement for the oral interview.
According to Mr. Usen, 50% was the cut-off mark for candidates to proceed to the verbal interview. He said he did excellently well in the oral interview, answering the only question asked - what is a cell? His credentials, he claims, are okay. Mr. Usen holds a first degree in Human Anatomy from the University of Uyo, a postgraduate diploma in Education from the same institution, and a master's degree from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
The Akwa Ibom State government's recruitment exercise was designed to be transparent and merit-driven, with 37,314 people applying for the civil service recruitment. Out of these, 33,461 sat for the CBT, while 12,502 candidates who scored at least 50% qualified for the oral interview. The government also provided additional time for persons with disabilities to take the examination. However, Mr. Usen's performance was not reflected in the final selection.
Mr. Usen's disappointment heightened when he learned that another visually impaired candidate, who did not answer the interview question, was appointed. He claims his credentials are better than the appointed candidate's in terms of grades. Mr. Usen's CBT result, reviewed by Premium Times, shows he was assessed in Verbal Reasoning, Basic Computer Skills, and Current Affairs, scoring 80% and receiving an "Excellent" remark.
Government figures raise questions about Mr. Usen's complaint. Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Frank Ekpenyong, said only one person with a disability scored at least 60%, while two candidates from the general pool scored as high as 90%. Persons with disabilities were allowed one hour, compared with the standard 40 minutes for the CBT. Mr. Usen's claim that he scored 80% therefore raises questions about the government's reported figure concerning candidates with disabilities.
Mr. Usen has appealed directly to Governor Umo Eno for intervention, stating that he believes he should not require a political godfather to secure government employment. In a Facebook post on 18 September, he asked for the governor's mercy, saying, "My compassionate governor, please have mercy on me! All I need is a teaching appointment by the state government." The state government has since approved additional recruitment, with Governor Eno directing the release of appointment letters to 4,000 successful civil service candidates and approving an additional 2,000 teachers.
Mr. Usen's visual impairment is degenerative and has worsened progressively since childhood. He is not totally blind but relies on an assistant for some tasks. His teaching methods have evolved with his condition, focusing on compiling texts rather than writing on the board. Mr. Usen has written to the state government about his non-selection and plans to submit another letter, seeking a chance to serve his state as a teacher.
Key points
- A visually impaired educationist, Onodiong Usen, scored 80% in the Akwa Ibom State civil service CBT but was excluded from teaching appointments.
- Mr. Usen has appealed to Governor Umo Eno for intervention, citing his impressive performance and qualifications.
- The state government's recruitment figures raise questions about the inclusion of candidates with disabilities in the selection process.
