The Federal Character Commission (FCC) yesterday read the Riot Act to heads of federal institutions over their recruitment pattern, warning them to constantly adhere to the federal character principle.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation meeting held between the management and stakeholders of the host communities of federal institutions in the old Aguata Division of Anambra State, the executive chairman of FCC, Dr. Shetima Abba, regretted that the issue of recruitment often times led to quarrels between the management and community leaders. He noted that this should not be the case if the laid-down guidelines on employment are followed.

Abba, who was represented by the Commissioner representing Ekiti State in FCC, Comrade Bunmi Ojo, warned that the lopsidedness observed in the staff disposition of some federal institutions would no longer be tolerated. He said that henceforth, chief executives of defaulting institutions would be held liable and accountable for any anomaly.

The FCC boss pointed out that the federal character principle as contained in Section 14(3) and (4) of the Nigerian Constitution as official state policy is to ensure that Nigeria stays together as one entity.

In his words, “The application of this principle as a way of achieving national unity in a heterogeneous society like Nigeria is not entirely a new phenomenon in our socio-political life.

“It was an adopted practice from other plural society with similar characteristics such as diversity in ethnicity, religion and culture. Thus, it was in recognition of this that the 1994/95 Constitutional Conference recommended the establishment of a permanent executive body to be known as Federal Character Commission to ordinate , monitor and enforce compliance with the federal character principle.

“The aim is to foster national loyalty in order to promote national unity. This is done by providing guidelines and formula that guarantee fairness and equitable distribution of public posts, socio-economic amenities and infrastructural facilities among the federating units.”

Dr. Abba further stated that with the increasing misunderstanding between the management of federal institutions and stakeholders of host communities, the commission decided to embark on a nationwide public enlightenment programme to educate the general public on the application of federal character principles in recruitment in federal intuitions.

“Host communities should see institutions located in their areas as establishments for promoting national unity and cohesion, rather than an organ for quarreling over employment,” he said.

According to him, the issue of federal character principle borders on equity and social justice.

While declaring the event open, Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said the issue of federal character and its proper implementation makes the country an ideal nation.

He maintained that the location of an institution in an area should not mean the employment of all the staff of that institution from the area adding that Federal character is a constitutional matter that runs from the federal to the states and the local government levels.

Heads of two federal institutions in the area which include the Federal Polytechnic, Oko and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, as well as Traditional Rulers, Presidents’ general of town unions and other stakeholders participated at the enlightenment programme.

•Photo showsFCC Executive Chairman, Dr. Shetima Abba.