INTELS Scholarship beneficiary, Miss Goni reveals how the company changed her life
The fact that INTELS Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant remains a strong force in the promotion of raw talents and support for the downtrodden via scholarships has continued to manifest in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where the group does its businesses.
Recently, Business Hilights ran into a lady, Miss Barivule Angela Goni, who suffered disability due to polio attack few months before her first birthday. The Rivers State graduate of Economics from the University of Port Harcourt revealed that she became a beneficiary of the INTELS scholarship in 2005 – the year she got admission after presenting a proof of admission.
According to her, “The scholarship made a lot of difference in many areas of my life. Most importantly, it enabled me to fulfill my dream of becoming a graduate. I was almost losing hope of going to the university due to lack of finance but the scholarship made this dream a reality. It took care of my tuition and daily needs while in school so that I was able me to meet the day-to-day demands of the school, which as a person with disability would have been difficult; for example, paying my transport fares to attend lectures”.
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he added that shortly after her education which was on INTELS scholarship, she was employed by the same company
Explaining more on how it been working in INTELS with the physical challenge, Goni averred that “INTELS has created an accessible platform that enable me carry out my job/responsibilities daily without hindrances. Though I work on the third floor, I have not had difficulties or been in need of human help getting there despite the fact that I am physically challenged”.
“This is great. Moreover, this is only seen in overseas where the physically challenged do not have to be assisted to work. INTELS has created an inclusive platform, which the government and other businesses (especially multinational companies) in this country have failed to do. For many companies, investing in the lives of those living with disabilities is wasteful.
“They would rather give working aids (wheelchair, crutches and or walking stick) as the case may be that are of low standards to them or share a few foodstuff during festive periods occasionally but INTELS has shown that people living with disabilities are employable and have done everything to ensure that they are happy in the community.
Goni decried that “In the past, physically challenged persons are cheated out of their own share of the resources of the land and are seen as beggars and of no use thus, the universities and other public buildings are inaccessible to them but INTELS is changing all that through their scholarship and employment of the physically challenged.
Continuing, elated scholarship beneficiary and employee of INTELS noted that “One thing worthy of mention here is that I am not treated by my colleagues with pity just because I am physically challenged. I am accepted and respected as everyone else and I am allowed to carry out my daily task according to the job description for my level”.
She agreed that “To say INTELS has changed my life is an understatement. INTELS has greatly changed my life and it is getting better and better. I rise up daily with a sense of purpose and hope. I know that by the grace of God all my dreams will come true. I own and ride my car thus, mobility problem solved. I pay my house rent – shelter issues taken care of. I feed myself, take care of my personal needs and contribute my quota in any association or social group I belong”.
“In addition, I have been able to assist my siblings and take care of my parents in my little way. I am not a burden or liability to family but an asset, someone that has prospects. Thus, dependency issue solved and I am treated with respect in my family and among friends. What can I say, “Thank you INTELS,” she says in excitement.
