By Olatunde Ajayi
The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Oyo State says it is currently handling 1820 active cases while 780 have been successfully resolved.
The Federal Commissioner PCC, Oyo State, Mrs Rashidat Olatoun-Yusuf, stated this at a public lecture organised in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Commission, in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the title of the public lecture was “A Voice of the Voiceless: The Nigerian Ombudsman; 50 Years of Accomplishment, More Grounds to Conquer.”
She said the celebration of the anniversary was aimed at sensitising the public to how PCC could freely support them against administrative injustices and other claims.
The federal commissioner said that some of the cases started after she assumed duty in the state in 2024 while some were inherited from her predecessors.
According to her, the commission, popularly known as “Nigerian Ombudsman” in Oyo State, receives an average of 600 new cases annually, showing that many people now know where to turn when they need justice.
“Our mandate and legacy since PCC establishment in 1975, is to remain the voice of the voiceless, ensuring that no act of administrative injustice goes unchecked, regardless of who is involved.
“PCC was created with the mandate to resolve all cases of administrative injustices across all levels of government- federal, state, and local governments bodies as well as all private companies registered under Private and Allied Matters.
“I must emphasise our services are 100 per cent free of charge. Every citizen or resident has the right to seek redress through us, without fear, cost, or bias.
“Part of our success stories include N60.5 million debt recovery within four months, outstanding salaries of several workers have been paid after our mediation, refunds for incomplete contracts, recovery of unpaid dividends and interventions with IBEDC resolving billing disputes and transformer issues, and several compassion-based cases,” Olatoun-Yusuf said.
The federal commissioner also said that the commission had submitted a proposal for the review of the Act establishing it to national assembly so as to get strong legal teeth and funding to handle more cases.
According to her, among major limitations facing the commission were lack of adequate publicity about its activities and funding.
“Many citizens still do not know enough about what we do or how we can help. We, therefore, appeal to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, for more support for the commission.
“Our work directly complements the efforts of the state government in promoting justice, accountability, and good governance. By resolving conflicts and administrative injustices, we reduce tension and make governance easier and more efficient,” she said.
She lauded the PCC’s Honourable Chief Commissioner, Bashir Abubakar, noting that his dedication and visionary leadership has given the commission a renewed sense of purpose and visibility nationwide.
“As we celebrate this golden jubilee, we must also look forward. The next fifty years of the Public Complaints Commission must be about innovation, accessibility, and trust.
“We must continue to modernise our processes, engage the public more actively, and ensure that every Nigerian, rich or poor, can seek justice without fear or favour,” she said.
The Guest Lecturer, Mr Isiaka Olagunju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said that strengthening the PCC was not optional if Nigerians would enjoy a governance ecosystem in which citizens feel heard and protected and where public officials act with procedural fairness and accountability.
“The path forward requires a renewed commitment from the government to empower the PCC with the independence, legal teeth, and resources it needs to effectively pursue its mission,” he said.
Also, the Chairman of Space FM Radio in Ibadan, Chief Deji Osibogun, urged government to increase the budget allocation to the PCC so as to expand its activities to the grassroots, especially, in our rural areas.
He noted that many Nigerians at the grassroots need services of PCC because most of the utility providers in Nigeria have been allegedly earning money and ripping people off at grassroots without equivalent service being provided.
NAN reports that the event also featured recognition and award presentation to the outstanding members of staff of the commission for their contribution and dedication to duty. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni
