Tinubu, FCC, PGF Task 774 LG Chairmen on Equity, Grassroots Development and National Unity

PHOTO CREDIT: The Sun Nigeria / Federal Character Commission
Tinubu, FCC, PGF Task 774 LG Chairmen on Equity, Grassroots Development and National Unity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) have charged the chairmen of the 774 Local Government Areas to entrench fairness, equity and inclusion as the bedrock of grassroots governance.

The call was made at the close of a two-day National Workshop for Local Government Executive Chairmen held in Abuja, themed: “Deepening National Unity Through Grassroots Implementation of the Federal Character Principle.”

The workshop convened council chairmen from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside top government officials, academics, security experts and development practitioners.

Representing President Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said local governments remain the closest tier to the people and must ensure that policies and programmes translate into real benefits for citizens. He urged the chairmen to rise above sectional interests and promote fairness, inclusion and national cohesion.

FCC Chairman, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, described the workshop as a deliberate move to take the Federal Character Principle to the grassroots. She tasked council leaders to ensure equitable distribution of appointments, development projects, social amenities and economic opportunities, noting that Nigeria’s diversity should be harnessed as a strength.

In his keynote, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab O. Egbewole, SAN, said grassroots governance is critical to national development. He explained that Federal Character is a constitutional imperative for belonging, and must be implemented with justice, transparency and accountability — beyond political appointments to cover education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic empowerment.

Also speaking, Prof. Umaru Pate called for stronger primary healthcare delivery and data-driven, community-based interventions, while urging closer collaboration among the three tiers of government.

On security, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), urged council chairmen to deepen collaboration with traditional institutions, religious leaders, communities and security agencies to strengthen early warning, intelligence gathering and conflict prevention.

Speaking on behalf of the PGF Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the PGF Director-General, Mr. Folorunso S. Aluko, said local government autonomy must go hand-in-hand with accountability, transparent budgeting, prudent financial management, merit-based recruitment, and procurement integrity.

Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, stressed that Federal Character goes beyond sharing of appointments, but is fundamentally about justice, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all Nigerians.

Other speakers at the workshop included Dr. Muyi Aina, DG of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency; Mr. Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation; Dr. Ogbona Chime, President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners; ALGON President, Dr. Aminu Muazu-Maifata; MD of NBET, Mr. Akinola Odeyemi; and Kano State Commissioner for Local Government, Hon. Tajudeen Usman.

Chairman of the Planning Committee and FCC Federal Commissioner for Oyo State, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, said the success of the workshop will be measured by its impact on ordinary Nigerians. He urged the 774 chairmen to domesticate the resolutions in their councils through practical programmes that address community-specific needs.

At the close, the FCC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive governance, equitable development and sustainable national unity, stressing that true national unity must start at the grassroots where citizens engage government most directly.
SOURCE: The Sun Nigeria – thesun.ng