The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday offered an appointment letter to Mr. Daniel Oluwatobi, a former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who lost his sight in an accident while serving as INEC ad-hoc staff in Yobe State during the 2011 general elections.
Yakubu, who led a team of INEC National Commissioners, Secretary and some directors to the NYSC headquarters for the presentation ceremony, commended corps members generally for their patriotism, dedication and commitment to election duties.
He said: “There is no way we can have a successful election without this crop of dedicated staff.”
He also described corps members as part of “our most committed, patriotic and non-partisan election duty staff.”
Yakubu recalled that the last time he visited the NYSC headquarters to condole with the Director General on the death of Mr. Samuel Okonta, a Youth Corps member who lost his life during the Rivers State election, he had promised to offer automatic employment to Oluwatobi and to also oblige his (Oluwatobi’s) request to be posted to any state of his choice.
“Today, we are fulfilling that promise,” he said. “Oluwatobi has requested to be posted to Ogun State, and to Ogun State he has now been posted.”
Yakubu said INEC invited Oluwatobi to personally accompany him, other INEC National Commissioners and management team to the NYSC headquarters for the presentation ceremony.
He then presented the letter of appointment to the NYSC Director General, Brig. Gen Sule Kazaure, who in turn handed it over to Oluwatobi.
Responding, the DG thanked the INEC Chairman for the gesture. But he stressed the need for a review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between INEC and NYSC, in the areas of security, transportation, allowances and insurance cover for corps members.
An obviously overwhelmed Oluwatobi gave a salute and a shout to acknowledge the gesture.
INEC’s National Commissioners that accompanied Yakubu to the NYSC headquarters were Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari, Prof. Antonia T. Okoosi-Simbine, Dr. Mohammed . M. Lecky and Alhaji Baba Shettima Arfo.
The commission’s secretary, Mrs. Augusta C. Ogakwu and some directors were also part of the delegation.
