President Bola Tinubu has charged the newly sworn-in Chairman and Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to uphold fairness, diligence and patriotism in the discharge of their constitutional mandate, describing their assignment as central to Nigeria’s unity and stability.
Speaking after administering the oath of office, the President told the new leadership that the Commission represents the conscience of the nation and must reflect Nigeria’s diversity and complexity in all its actions.
He stressed that their responsibility is to promote equity in public service appointments and ensure that every section of the country feels a sense of belonging.
“What you represent here today is the conscience of our nation. What you are being assigned to do is to promote and stabilise the conscience of this country, to be fair, diligent, committed and patriotic, a nation that needs its own people, has no good faith that we have that is better than our people.”
President Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria possesses the human resources, capacity and divine endowment required to build a strong and prosperous nation, urging the commissioners to see their appointment as a call to service rather than personal privilege.
He challenged the newly inaugurated commissioners to constantly examine their individual contributions to national development, growth and unity, noting that the country’s progress depends largely on the commitment of its own people.
“We have the human resources, we have the ability, the capacity and the endowment from God to build our country. We must, at each time, ask ourselves, what is our contribution to the development and growth, stability and unity of this country? If I can borrow from John F Kennedy, who asked the Americans, and I’m asking you to ask yourself, not all the time.
“What can this country do for you, but what you can do for the country to make it greater now that you have been inaugurated, to reflect the federal character, the complexity, the diversity of this country. It’s only your hand.”
The President added that the success of the Federal Character Commission in promoting inclusiveness and fairness rests squarely in their hands, adding that their conduct in office must strengthen national cohesion and public confidence in government institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated leadership of the Commission, Hon. Ayo Haulat, expressed confidence that by the end of the current administration, every Nigerian will own Nigeria.
Omidiran noted that Nigeria is endowed with abundant resources and opportunities, stressing that such benefits must be fairly distributed to all parts of the country in order to promote inclusivity and national cohesion.
“As you are aware, the federal character commission was formed by patriotic Nigerians who believe that there should be a body to ensure equitable distribution of every good thing.
“And Nigeria has good things in abundance, but it must go round every nook and cranny of Nigeria to engender inclusivity, so that everybody will know that Nigeria is theirs and they will own the country.”
Speaking on the mandate of the Commission, the FCC Chairman noted that the Federal Character Commission was established by patriotic Nigerians to ensure the equitable distribution of national opportunities and resources across the federation.
She pledged that the Commission would leverage Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength, while working to renew the hope and aspirations of Nigerians through transparent and balanced representation in public institutions.
The FCC Chairman further affirmed that the Commission would carry out its duties under the guidance of President Tinubu, ensuring that its operations contribute to national unity, stability and confidence in government processes.
Omidiran highlighted that the Commission will ensure that national assets cuts across all the region of the country thereby reinforcing citizens’ confidence that Nigeria belongs to all, regardless of ethnic, religious or regional differences.
“At the end of this tenure, every Nigerian will own Nigeria. “So what Mr. President told us is just to remind us of what the Act has mandated us to do, and we are fully ready to do.”
The FCC Chairman expressed optimism that, with commitment and dedication, the Commission would fulfil its responsibilities and contribute to strengthening unity and fairness in the country.