Visually impaired teacher in Akwa Ibom, who scored 80%, seeks job from Eno

A visually impaired teacher in Akwa Ibom State, Onodiong Usen, has complained that he was not selected for a teaching job. He scored 80 percent in the civil service Computer-Based Test (CBT) and answered the question during the oral interview.

Mr Usen, 37, is disappointed because he thought his score would get him a job after meeting the requirements for the interview. He has gone on Facebook to ask Governor Umo Eno for help.

His complaint comes after the state government said the recruitment process would be open and based on merit. Leadership newspaper reported that 37,314 people applied for the civil service jobs. Out of those, 33,461 took the CBT, and 12,502 candidates who scored at least 50 percent qualified for the oral interview.

The government also mentioned that people with disabilities were given extra time for the exam. But Mr Usen says his performance did not lead to a job offer.

"I was the only physically challenged person who scored up to 80 marks," Mr Usen told PREMIUM TIMES. He added that 50 percent was the minimum score to move to the verbal interview.

"The government had announced that those who scored 50 and above in the CBT will qualify for the oral interview. 50 was the cut-off mark. I did excellently well in the oral interview. I was asked only one question, what is a cell? And I answered it. My credentials are okay."

He is even more upset because another visually impaired candidate got a job, even though he says this person did not answer the interview question. He claims this person faced the same panel as him.

"Why I am upset is that there is another visually impaired person who got the job but did not answer the interview question because we were facing the same panel," he said. This newspaper cannot verify his claim.

"My own credentials are better than his in terms of grades, and he did not score up to 80 marks, which I scored in the CBT, although he scored above the 50-mark cut-off point. But he has been given an appointment, which is the discrimination that is upsetting me."

Mr Usen said he is unsure how many people with disabilities took the CBT but thinks only a few made it to the oral interview stage.

"I was the only physically challenged person who scored up to 80 marks in the CBT," he said. His CBT result, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, shows he was graded in Verbal Reasoning, Basic Computer Skills, and Current Affairs, scoring 80 percent with an “Excellent” remark.

On the result slip, he was congratulated for finishing the assessment. The slip also said, based on his performance, he "might be shortlisted for the next stage, a verbal interview to further assess your suitability for the role you applied for."

Government figures raise questions

The government's numbers add context to Mr Usen's complaint. When announcing the 12,502 candidates shortlisted for interviews, Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Frank Ekpenyong, said only one person with a disability scored at least 60 percent. Two candidates from the general pool scored as high as 90 percent. People with disabilities were reported to be allowed one hour for the CBT, while others had 40 minutes.

The government continued with the verbal interview, claiming it was to ensure merit and transparency in the recruitment process. Mr Usen’s claim of scoring 80 percent raises questions about the government’s reported statistics on candidates with disabilities and whether his score was counted.

This issue is important because Governor Eno said the recruitment was meant to give equal chances to all applicants.

'I’m going down'

Mr Usen expected to get the job because of his qualifications and years of teaching experience.

"I am totally disappointed. To be sincere with you, I’m going down. I so much expected the job, being the highest scorer in my category."

He has volunteered in the state for 10 years from 2012 to 2022, teaching Human Anatomy at the School of Nursing, Anua. He was not paid by the state government and relied on school allowances.

He also taught at places linked with Ibom Metropolitan Polytechnic, Uyo, such as City and Guilds and Gregory University. Now, he runs a nursing preparatory center where he helps candidates prepare for entrance exams.

Mr Usen holds a first degree in Human Anatomy from the University of Uyo, a postgraduate diploma in Education from the same school, and a master’s degree from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

He graduated with a 4.57 CGPA in his PGDE and 4.50 in his master’s degree.

'I’m not totally blind'

Mr Usen explained that his visual impairment is getting worse since childhood.

"I’m not totally blind. There are books I wrote and published by myself, but the situation has gotten worse now, and I don’t do those things anymore. I have an assistant who sits by me, and then we do it together."

He said he changed his teaching methods due to his condition.

"The course I teach does not involve writing much on the board, but what I do is sit down and compile it into a text, and that’s what put me into publishing."

Mr Usen said his sight has worsened to the point where writing is now impossible.

"I don’t read anymore, but I used to. I told you my condition is a degenerative process. From childhood, it gets worse with time. That is why I was able to go through my degree programs. I was writing examinations by myself then. But now writing has become impossible."

He has written to the state government about his non-selection and plans to send another letter.

"There has not been any feedback from the state government at the moment."

On Facebook, he appealed to Governor Eno on September 18, saying he should not need a political godfather to get a government job.

"My compassionate governor, please have mercy on me! All I need is a teaching appointment by the state government."

He added, "My dear governor, be my godfather, please. My pastor governor, break this curse for me, please. My compassionate governor, hear my cry, please."

The state government has approved more recruitment. Governor Eno has directed the release of appointment letters to 4,000 successful civil service candidates and approved an additional 2,000 teachers, according to reports from Punch newspapers in September.

Mr Usen is asking the government why his performance did not lead to a job offer. Mr Ekpenyong, the commissioner for science and digital economy, who managed the recruitment program, did not respond to calls or texts seeking his comments.