Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman representing Kogi Central Senatorial district has asked the Senate to prevail on the management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to reverse its decision to retire one Ibrahim Oricha Yusuf from his constituency and others with similar cases.
A statement issued by Abatemi-Usman’s media assistant, Michael Jegede noted that the Senator while presenting Yusuf’s petition on the floor of the Senate through a letter he addressed to the Senate President said: “I have received a petition from one Mr. Ibrahim Oricha Yusuf a senior Inspector of Customs (CONSOL 8). Mr. Ibrahim was employed in the Nigeria Customs Service as a junior staff with disability and served for 25 years. Regrettably he was retired arbitrarily on 3rd October, 2011 on grounds of ill health, in spite of a medical report certifying his fitness. Mr. President Sir, the petitioner is praying the Senate to prevail on the management of the Nigeria Customs Service to reverse its decision to retire him from service and reinstate him.”
The statement further indicated that the youngest senator in the Seventh Senate, who believes absolutely in equity, fairness and justice wondered why a man who have been in active service for 25 years without any blemish or query whatsoever in his file would be disengaged because of his disability.
In his petition letter to the Senator dated October 25, 2011, the said Yusuf who was promoted last year said: “Sir, after been in active service for the past twenty-five years carrying out my duty with full commitment without violating the rules and regulation of the organization. To my very great surprise, the Customs management misinterpreted my disability as an illness in her last screening exercise which led to the termination of my appointment prematurely. Distinguished Sir, you are my final hope to keep me active or else my disabled person will also die prematurely.”
SIGNED: MICHAEL JEGEDE
MEDIA AIDE TO THE SENATOR
