Character
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, March 22, 2018 (NAN) Acting Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC) Dr Shettima Abba on Thursday in Abuja urged states and local governments to embrace principle of federal character in appointments, recruitment and distribution of amenities.
Abba made the call at the opening of national stakeholders seminar organised by the commission with the theme “Inspecting and Monitoring Strategic Processes in Recruitment and Nationalised Spread of Staff in MDAs”.
The seminar was attended by heads of federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) state Civil Service Commissions and heads of civil service of states.
The FCC boss said the seminar was for stakeholders to brainstorm on many unanswered national questions of inequalities, perceived marginalisation and lopsidedness in political appointments.
He added that the seminar was in pursuant of the commission’s mandate to enforce federal character principles in recruitment, distribution of posts and amenities.
“We do not police you as our stakeholders and clients, but we dearly need your cooperation to achieve our mandate of national unity, integration and sense of belonging for all.
“For our esteemed stakeholders and clients from states, you are to be fully sensitised.
“Our mandate is not limited to Federal Government MDAs but also the states and local governments.
“I, therefore, expect you to take the message back home by adequately informing your state governors to imbibe the spirit of federal character.”
Abba said state and local character should be observed in all aspects of appointments, recruitment and amenities.
Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) commended the commission for organising the seminar.
Represented by Mr Yinka Aguda, the Director of Special Duties in the Office of the SGF, Mustapha said the seminar was in line with the change agenda of Federal Government.
He said the agenda was to promote national integration and cohesion toward building strong and virile country to realise its full potential as indivisible nation.
Mustapha said FCC was one of the 14 constitutional bodies established in recognition of the diversity of the nation and to promote a sense of belonging among citizens.
“It is hoped that the states will imbibe the federal character principles to promote and foster sense of belonging and understanding in our country,” he said. (NAN)
IMC/AIB/HA
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu