By Okon Okon/Perpetua Onuegbu
Mr Oladele Kayode, Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), says equity in employment, projects, and opportunities is not a favour but a constitutional right of every Nigerian.
Kayode said this on Thursday in Abuja when he received the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, on an advocacy visit.
He said the mandate of the commission was rooted in Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution and the FCC Act of 1996, stressing that equity and fairness were the backbone of Nigeria’s unity.
“Our duty is to ensure equitable representation in public service appointments and promotions, fair distribution of socio-economic resources, and compliance with the federal character principle across institutions,” he said.
According to him, the FCC mandate extends beyond federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to states, local governments, and even large private corporations operating across the country.
“At the state and local government levels, appointments, promotions, recruitment, and projects must reflect diversity and inclusiveness.
“In the private sector, companies employing thousands of Nigerians are also expected to uphold equity in their workforce and leadership,” he said.
Kayode said the commission could not achieve its mandate alone, hence the need for partnership with civil society organisations such as CISLAC to sensitise the public on its work.
“Many people think our mandate is limited to fair distribution of jobs, but it also includes equitable siting of schools, infrastructure, healthcare, and other social amenities.
“Through advocacy and engagement, civil society helps citizens understand that equity is not a privilege but a constitutional right,” he said.
He commended CISLAC for its role in promoting transparency and accountability, noting that such collaboration would help to strengthen inclusivity and public trust.
Kayode assured that the FCC remained open to collaboration with stakeholders to enforce equity at all levels of government and in the private sector.
“Together, we can ensure that no Nigerian feels excluded and that opportunities are fairly shared,” he said.
Earlier, the CISLAC executive director commended FCC for its efforts in advancing national cohesion in spite of the challenges associated with its mandate.
Rafsanjani expressed readiness to collaborate with the FCC to strengthen inclusivity, transparency and public trust in governance.
He said the visit was aimed at exploring partnership with the commission in three key areas.
“We are here to seek collaboration with the Federal Character Commission in three main areas: Promoting public education on the principles and mandate of the commission, so that citizens fully understand its relevance and functions.
“We are strengthening transparency and accountability in federal recruitment and appointments to build trust and confidence in our public service institutions.
“And also enhancing citizen engagement through visibility, dialogue, and participatory approaches that bring the commission closer to the people it serves.
“In a diverse country like Nigeria, equitable representation of all groups in governance is crucial to reducing tension, mistrust and marginalisation,’’ he said.
The CISLAC chief stressed that transparency in appointments and recruitment would not only reduce corruption but also enhance meritocracy in public institutions.
“When citizens see fairness in governance, they are more likely to trust public institutions, thereby reinforcing democracy and fostering national unity,’’ he added.
Rafsanjani assured the FCC of CISLAC’s commitment to providing advocacy platforms, technical support on transparency initiatives and visibility through strategic media engagements. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab