A former corps member, Emmanuel Unogu, has been offered N100,000 by the National Youth Service Corps for the loss of his right leg during the service year.
Unogu, who served with the Urueffong/Oruka Local Government, Akwa Ibom State in 2008, was involved in an auto accident, which later led to the loss of his leg.
It was reported on April 18, 2013 that Unogu was involved in the accident while on his way to Oron on October 26, 2008.
Although the state’s NYSC authorities were said to have been aware of the accident, Unogu allegedly did not receive proper medical attention.
By the time he contacted his father who took him to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Unogu’s broken leg had been infected with gangrene. The leg was later amputated due to the infection.
It was learnt that the NYSC eventually called the former corps member in February 2014 to intimate him of the organisation’s plan.
Unogu said, “After my lawyer had written many times to the NYSC, I got a call from them for the first time last month. A woman from the NYSC office Abuja told me that she wanted to confirm my identity. She told me that I would be paid N100,000 as compensation.
“Another person called me three weeks later to say that a cheque of N100,000 was being prepared and asked me for an account number that it would be paid into.
“Last week, another man called again. He said I should expect the cheque this week. I asked the man what the cheque was for; was the NYSC paying for the amputation of my leg or was the money meant to acquire a prosthetic leg?
“When I began to question the man, he had no reply. He just sympathised with me and asked me to take heart.”
In response to Unogu’s enquiries in 2008, the London Prosthetic Center had sent an estimate of £4,000 for a prosthetic leg, excluding transport.
Unogu’s lawyer, Mr. Benjamin Odeh, said that copies of the correspondence with the prosthetic hospital were attached to the letters sent to the NYSC office in Abuja concerning Unogu.
Already, the Akwa Ibom secretariat of the NYSC was said to have given N290,000 to Unogu as a refund on the amount he incurred as medical expenses while on admission at the FMC, Owerri.
Unogu said, “I was told by the NYSC, Akwa Ibom, after they refunded my medical expenses, that the rest was left for Abuja. But from the look of things, I don’t think the NYSC national secratariat is going to do anything reasonable. What I need now is the funds to get a prosthetic leg so I can live a normal life.”
Odeh expressed his disappointment at the N100, 000 that was offered as compensation to the former corps member.
He said, “It is unthinkable that a youth that was compulsorily enrolled to serve his country and lost his limb in the process, is being offered N100,000.
“What exactly is the money for? Is Unogu being paid for the amputation? As it is, we intend to file a suit against the Federal Government. The Attorney General of the Federation and the NYSC will be joined in the suit for the injustice Unogu has suffered.”
When the Assistant Director, Press, of the NYSC, Mr. Edie, was contacted, he said, “Has the person been paid? If he has not, then there is not much I can say. However, I am currently away from Abuja; I will be back next week. By then, I will be able to give you an informed response.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This country is sick!
ReplyDeleteAre they not insured
ReplyDeleteImaging someone lost his his leg when he is serving his father land & was giving 100.000, is the money for compesating or to start a busness, God have mercy on us in this nation.
ReplyDeleteI think the full survival of this man should be the responsibility of the State government he served as well as the Federal government of Nigeria. First, all his medical bills (including getting him a prosthetic leg ), feeding allowance etc. should be covered. Again, he should be compensated for loosing his leg. Finally, he should be given a good job perhaps with the best employer in Nigeria. He should be asked to choose any employer he would like to work for. If he does not have the skills the employer is asking for, then, he should be trained for the job and become gainfully employed. Please note that all this is nothing compared to the suffering this man has passed through and/or his passing through. If they fail to adopt my recommendations, by the special grace of the Almighty God, all of those responsible for their execution would be punished one by one by the Almighty God (Ameen). What I have recommended is nothing compared to the money they waste or steal. They say constitutional conference is gulping billions of naira. They are all fools in that country and some people call themselves leaders. They are all rogues and not intelligent. Jonathan is fooling them. If they are sincere, they should reject the money. Don't they have their own money. Again, they are complaining that 4M naira is not sufficient for them. May God forgive me, at times I question my existence in this sinful world. No full justice anywhere in the world! It's only fairer in some places.
ReplyDeleteThe Federal government should compensate him and make sure they give comfortable job.
ReplyDelete