Segunmaru Adebayo is a Political Science graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, whose physical appearance has become a stumbling block to landing his dream job. He shares his experience with Tunde Ogunesan. His report:RIGHT from his childhood days, Segunmaru Adebayo knew what he wanted in life. He never wished to be a burden on anybody despite his challenges but today, the Ipara-Ogun state born Political Science graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State is finding it difficult to realise his ambition in life.Having fulfilled the prerequisite which he believed could land him his dream job, Adebayo has yet to see that dream come true.The father of two informed the Nigerian Tribune that "my expectation while in school was very high. I had it in mind that if I did well in academics, I would excel in life without becoming a burden to anybody, having it at the back of my mind my incapa-bilities.But today, things seem to be going the other way for me," he said.Adebayo attended IMG Primary School, and had his secondary education at Olubi Memorial Grammar School, both in Molete, Ibadan before proceeding to Ogun State College of Education (Now Tai Solarin College of Education), Ijebu-Ode, also in Ogun State from 1991-1995 while he capped his education with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Political Science from Ogun State University now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State between 1997-2001 and observed the compulsory one year youth service in 2002 at Osogbo Grammar School.Since then, Adebayo has been running from pillar to post to get a job. Between this period, he has been involved in teaching in extra mural classes to take care of himself and his family. His effort at getting his dream job has been stalled by the fact that his legs are impaired.Adebayo's inability is not from birth. At age six, he was hit by polio which eventually affected his two legs. Since then, the political scientist has had to live with the inconvenience and stigma.According to him " I have applied for various types of jobs both in the private sector and government agencies. My search for job has taken me to the Ogun State Civil Service Commission while they were at OPIC Estate along Lagos/Ibadan Express way, First Bank Plc and Odua Investment-when they floated Oduatel Communication outfit."The response has been that they will always get back to us. For the private companies, I think it's due to my disability that I've not been employed. I did two exams at different stages but at the interview stage, the story changed. One member of the panel of interviewers asked me, "Will you be able to cope with the stress of banking jobs'" At that point, I noticed the signal during further probe while the interview lasted that I might not progress beyond that stage."Despite that, Adebayo refused to be discouraged. He went further by taking exams into the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) and while he is still expecting the results, he emotionally appealled to the government. " Yes, I agreed that I have challenges but I think I should be encouraged if only for the fact that I summoned courage to go school. I don't want to be a burden to anybody in the society. I also want to give my family, wife and two children the best I can offer, all I need is for the state government to encourage me by giving employment. I am a graduate, the extra mural job is not enough for me again. I know I have something to offer but I've not been given the much needed chance," he said.Adebayo, is one of so many unemployed youths in the country who look up to the government for employment.However, what makes his case peculiar is his condition, but the political science graduate is still determined and has never dreamt of compromise."All I want is that missing link. The assistance to get a job, so that I can fend for myself and family and not be a burden to the society," he said.He added that he would have set up a business on his own but the problem had always been capital."It has not been easy raising funds from the banks to set up a business. I would have loved to try my hands on poultry farming, but the albatross has been finance. So, without a father or a mother, all I can do is look up to the government, especially my state governor, to help with securing a job."I know what the governor has doing since his assumption of office last year. This I believe can be extended to me also. I humbly request for the governor's assistance."
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