Seven Months After Immigration Recruitment Saga – Jonathan Yet to Fulfil Promise

Recall the Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment, where some applicants lost their lives due to stampede, and the Federal government promised compensation to their families – Well, seven months after the ill-fated recruitment process, nothing has been done as regards such promises.

Recall that President Jonathan, on March 19 directed that three employment slots be given to each of the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede while those who sustained injuries be given automatic employment.
Well, some victims of the stampede in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Tuesday, protested peacefully, the non-implementation of the compensation promised them by President Goodluck Jonathan, Punch reports.
According to reports then, 18 persons lost their lives in the recruitment process held nationwide including one at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the exercise in Edo while over 20,000 applicants were injured in the stampede that trailed the exercise nationwide on March 15, this year.
According to one of the victims, who spoke with Punch, Timothy Omoagbon, said that life had been difficult for his family since the incident:

“I saw my wife lying down on the ground after she collapsed in the stadium. It took the efforts of immigration officials to revive her – But later she started coughing out blood and couldn’t breathe very well.
“We went to the NIS but they told us that they were waiting for directive from Abuja and would let us know when they get it. But we have not heard anything till now. We are appealing to President Jonathan to fulfil his promise.”

The Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Emeka Obua, said only the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Joan Obua, that could speak on the issue, she was the chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Immigration Recruitment set up by President Jonathan to work out the modalities for the compensation of the families of those that died during the failed immigration recruitment across the nation.
Failed policies, promises etc, the bane of Nigerian government or what do you think?