The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has met today with the leadership of the Federal Character Commission to petition the low quota of Lagos State Indigenes representation in the employment scheme of Federal Government Organizations.
He said: “It is a shame that Lagos, which is Nigeria’s economic and industrial nerve centre, and which has the largest population has been short-changed in this national commission. The popular narrative about Lagos is that, people think we are okay in terms of resources and infrastructure. They think we have been taken care of. This is not the case.
“Lagos is accommodating to all but the resources available is not enough to cater for all. The challenges facing us are enormous. Our citizens need to be given their proper space in line with the spirit of fairness and the mandate of the Federal Character Commission.
Sanwo-Olu said he was particularly excited by the nomination of Bawa-Allah as Lagos representative in the Commission, noting that President Muhammadu Buhari was buoyed by sense of fairness and equity for considering it necessary to reconstitute the Commission.
He pointed out that Bawa-Allah’s appointment was timely and came at a period the State was making efforts to bridge the deficit in its federal representation. Sanwo-Olu pledged the State Government’s readiness to work with the Commissioner to realise the goal of upscaling Lagos’ representation.
The Governor said: “With your calibre and the knowledge of these shortcomings, we are expecting that this unfair narrative will turn around for good for the State. Not only will we be working closely with you as our representative in the Commission, we will take up the charge and ensure what is deserving of us is taken up. We will be giving you all the support required to settle and work to achieve your goals.”
Responding, Bawa-Allah pledged to work with the Governor to reverse the inequitable action against the State.
The Commissioner said he was shocked, upon assumption of office, to discover indigenes of Lagos only made up 11 per cent of the 10,000 employees on Grade Levels 1 to 6 working across over 120 federal organisations operating in Lagos.
He said: “While we cannot turn back the hands of time, I believe it is time to get cracking and address the issue. I stand in focus, courage, tenacity and optimism. I am determined to work hard with the confidence of the Governor and stakeholders in order to get what is due to our State. I seek effective synergy and collaboration with the Government of Lagos, our representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives to achieve these goals.”
Bawa-Allah
