Enlighten Nigerians on your activities – Minister challenges FCC

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has challenged the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to enlighten Nigerians on its activities.

The minister gave the challenge in Abuja on Friday when he received top officials of the commission, led by its Secretary, Malam Mahmoud Tukur, on a courtesy visit to his office.

The minister specifically called on the FCC to enlighten the people on spread of federal appointments.

“Nigerians need to know and appreciate what you are doing, and I think we need more of this interaction.

“At our level at the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, we will partner with you in the area of enlightenment campaigns to unite the country better.

“Once the people have a sense of belonging, then it is the recipe for unity,” he said.

Mohammed said it was important for the commission to change the perception and the mindset of people about it.

In doing that, he said, the commission must invest in advocacy, interactions and visits.

Mohammed said it was always convenient for people to look at a few appointments and make a general statement of marginalisation without taking a holistic view of federal appointments.

The minister noted, however, that adequate and equitable representation in federal institutions would give a sense of belonging to every Nigerian and equally strengthen the bond of unity.

“It is gladdening to note that the objective and the mandate of the commission go beyond just ensuring that there is balance, equity and fairness in the federal ministries and parastatals.

“You are also very duly concerned about the spread of infrastructure.

“I think the two mandates are very important and germane to the unity, stability and peace of this country.”

In his remarks, Tukur said the commission was engaged in promoting equitable distribution of infrastructure besides ensuring placement in federal institutions to ensuring.

“The second mandate of the commission also extends to the aspect of distribution of socio-economic amenities and infrastructure in the country.

“This is one key area that most people have not focused on and we want to focus more on that in the Federal Character Commission now,” he said.

The secretary stressed the need for amenities and infrastructure to be broadly spread and extend to the rural areas to encourage private sector investment, particularly in areas like agriculture.