President Bola Tinubu has formally inaugurated the new leadership of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) at the State House in Abuja. During the swearing-in ceremony, the President issued a stern charge to the new appointees, urging them to serve as the “conscience of the nation” by upholding fairness, equity, and justice in the discharge of their duties.
The President administered the oath of office to the new Chairman, Hulayat Omidiran, alongside commissioners representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. In his address, President Tinubu emphasized that the stability of Nigeria relies heavily on the perception of fairness among its diverse citizenry. He noted that the Commission’s critical mandate is to ensure that no section of the country feels marginalized, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and national cohesion.
Drawing inspiration from the famous words of former US President John F. Kennedy, President Tinubu challenged the new commissioners to prioritize service over personal gain. “I am asking you to ask yourselves what you can do for the country,” he stated. “It should not be all the time about what this country can do for you, but about what you can do to make this country great.” He reminded them that the complexity and diversity of Nigeria are now in their hands to manage, trusting that they would execute this assignment with diligence and patriotism.
In her response, the newly sworn-in Chairman, Hulayat Omidiran, expressed gratitude to the President for the appointment. She pledged that the new team would align its operations with the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” Omidiran assured the President and the nation that the Commission would diligently pursue its constitutional responsibility to ensure that socio-economic amenities, development projects, and employment opportunities are shared equitably. “At the end of this tenure, every Nigerian will own Nigeria,” she promised, affirming that the Commission would promote the country’s diversity as a source of strength rather than division.
The Federal Character Commission is a constitutionally established body tasked with enforcing the federal character principle, which seeks to ensure fairness in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructure among the various federating units of Nigeria.
