A delegation of the Federal Character Commission(FCC) led by Hon. AbdulWasiu Bawallah has paid a working visit to the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission (LAHASCOM).
Bawallah said the visit was to enlighten the Commission on the essence of the Federal Character Commission and to inform government institutions and the general public about its functions and activities.
He further stated that the undue marginalisation in the number of Lagos indigenes in Federal establishments has become a thing of concern as the sole purpose of the Commission is to make sure there is fairness in the implementation of the quota system as stipulated by the Nigerian constitution in which Lagos State representation is below its designated quota.
He however explained that the Commission’s mandate is to foster equity in public positions in the Federal, State and Local Government as well as equally balance social amenities and infrastructural facilities. He stated that from the current data collated, it has been observed that Lagos State indigenes occupy 11% out of over 10,000 positions in over 120 Federal establishments in the State. He therefore informed the meeting that the FCC is charged to make sure the imbalance is reversed with a view to creating “equal opportunities in appointments, social benefits and infrastructural development across all senatorial districts of the State.”
“The essence of the visit, therefore, is to shed light on the imbalance in the federal quota occupied by Lagosians and assure you of the Commission’s resolve to correct the anomaly”.
In his response, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, Chief Olawale Mogaji acknowledged the readiness of FCC to correct the lopsided appointments and its resolve to do justice to other areas of developments in favour of Lagosians. He indicated that he and Bawallah have the same ideology and passion for the State and its indigenes. “When I heard of your appointment, I knew that better days have come for Lagosians to get their rightfully and deserved representation in Federal Parastatals,” Mogaji said.
While thanking the Assembly Commission for its time and positive input, Bawallah further stated that the collaboration and engagement with the Lagos Assembly Commission is very important in order to foster peaceful co-existence between indigenes and non-indigenes in the state.
Also present at the meeting were: Otunba Richard Akin Osungboye, Commissioner I; Dr Bode Tawak, Commissioner II; Hon. Akeem Bello, Commissioner III; Bose Lambo, Secretary to the Commission and other management staff of the commission.
