By Okon Okon

The Federal Government on Tuesday, charged the Federal Character Commission (FCC) on its mandates to promote national unity of Nigeria.

Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), gave the charge while declaring open a 3-day Sensitisation Programme in ‘Imperative of accurate data submission for development: A strategic partnership with critical stakeholders and advocacy on balanced development.’

The workshop with the theme, ‘Equity, fairness and justice in the distribution of resources as a tool in realising the renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration’, is organised by the FCC for the stakeholders from the North-East zone of the country.

It is also aimed at highlighting the imperatives of submission of accurate data to support FCC implementation strategies in the overall action plan for achieving the commission’s mandates.

Speaking further, Akume, who was  represented by Dr Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, General Service in the office of the SGF, said FCC had played vital roles toward national cohesion, nation building and inclusiveness in the governance process of Nigeria.

He urged FCC to further take bold determination to ensure the implementation of its important mandates in tandem with the present administration’s agenda of renewed hope for the country.

“There is no doubt that the role of the Federal Character Commission is a pivotal one driven by our efforts as a nation towards national cohesion, nation building and inclusiveness.

“Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution has captured it aptly as the distinctive desire of the people of Nigeria to promote national unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging to the nation.

While appreciating FCC for the workshop, Akume said the decision was in line with the expectation of the adoption of an acceptable formula for the equitable distribution of socio-economic amenities and infrastructural facilities across the federation.

“It is therefore pertinent to note that the national trajectory, must have in mind the tripod of equity, fairness and justice, which the nation stands, is our collective resolve to entrench not only in the distribution of resources but in every facet of our national life and conduct.

“It is on this note that I call on the Management of the Federal Character Commission to work together as a team in realisation of the mandate of the commission.

The SGF, however, used the medium to remind the commission and other organs of government that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to reengineer all organs of government for effective service delivery.

Earlier, Dr Muheeba Dankaka, Executive Chairman of FCC, explained that the policy thrust of the renewed hope agenda of the present administration was all about equity, fairness and justice.

This, Dankaka said was in tandem with the entire principle of Federal Character, adding that the commission’s mandate form the nucleus of government agenda.

“Ladies and gentlemen, over time and since I assumed office over three years ago, one critical factor that has been a recurring decimal is the lack of understanding and perception of the Federal Character principle amongst our people and particularly the implementing stakeholders.

“This deficit of comprehension has in many ways affected the total implementation of the principle of Federal Character of equity, fairness and justice in the distribution.

“And proportional sharing of not only bureaucratic posts but also distribution of infrastructural facilities, economic and social amenities amongst the federating units,” Dankaka explained.

Also, Sen. Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman Committee on Federal Character, expressed the senates’ commitment to give maximum support to the commission so as to execute its core mandates to ensure the desire of the commission.

Represented by Sen. Diket Plang, Onyesoh said the present senate is the Senate with the complete desire for the stability of Nigeria, adding that Nigeria can achieve such stability if every character in the country is fairly represented.

“All would be well with Nigeria if every citizen is included in the governance, all would be well with us if everybody is part of what is taking place, and that is the primary function of the FCC meaning that all should be involved,” he said.

FCC was established in 1996 to implement and enforce the Federal Character Principle of fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructures among the various federation units of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Ekemini Ladejobi