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President Goodluck Jonathan said on Wednesday in Abuja that his administration would ensure equity and fairness in appointment to political offices and employment into the Federal Civil Service.
The president gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of seven members of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission and two permanent secretaries.
The ceremony took place in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.
In a remark shortly after the appointees took the Oath of Office, Jonathan said he had observed that all the geo-political zones complained of being marginalised on federal appointments.
He said that he deliberately delayed some pending political appointments in order to ensure that the complaints of marginalisation already received were taken care of.
“We are in an era where all the geo-political zones complain about marginalisation. All the geo-political zones complain that they are not given appointments. In fact, we have some pending appointments because of that.
“I have told the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to do proper analysis and probably to wait and accumulate the number. Probably if we accumulate them up to 12, when we want to make the appointments, we will make sure that all the geo-political zones get two each.
“In that case, your conscience will be clear. That is why some appointments are pending, which I believe we will deal with this week. I think they are about 12 or so. We will make sure that all the geo-political zones are accommodated.”
Jonathan challenged the newly sworn-in officials, especially members of the FCC not only to be up and doing in their duties, but to also comply with the commission’s establishment statute.
“Also the Civil Service Commission should be fair to all Nigerians. In employing Nigerians, you must ensure that all the States have what is due to them because we also know that some States are more than others.
“So when you are balancing equality of States, you must also be mindful of the population of each state. You must be aware of the laws guiding your job,’’ he said.
The president also urged the appointees to learn how to relate with their colleagues and to see Nigeria as one entity.
The seven members of the FCC include, Mr Uche Romanus (Imo); former Speaker of Benue House of Assembly and the first female Speaker in Nigeria and West Africa, Dr Margaret Icheen and former Member of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa, Mr Clement Agie.
Others are former Commissioner for Information, Nasarawa State, Mr Alakayi Mamman; former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bauchi State, Alhaji Yerima Giade; Dr Salihu Bello from Adamawa; and Alhaji Addo Ahmed, Jigawa.
Similarly, Dr Clement Ilo (Delta) and Dr Jemila Suara (Edo State) were sworn-in as federal permanent secretaries, while Alhaji Hassan Soko-Dabo (FCT), was sworn-in as member of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
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