It was a galore of awards as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba, the chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Mr. Ekpo Nta and others were recognised for their outstanding compliance with the mandate of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
Speaking during the night of awards, yesterday (December 19, 2022) in Abuja, the chairman of the commission, Dr. Muheeba Dankaka said the ceremony was specifically for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) across the country to encourage compliance of the character mandate.
“I have also quite reasonably realised that these interactions have broadened my mind and understanding of the complexities of the commission and how stakeholders need to work In synergy to achieve set goals and targets.
“In that case, there should be a reward system that can encourage voluntary compliance with our guiding principle and our staff to enhance productivity. The appreciation and encouragement should also be extended to our superintending office which is always at hand to listen to our challenges and proffer solutions.
“In the same category is the Senate and House of Representatives, particularly the chairmen of the federal character committees in both chambers.
“They have been constant guides, [proffering] advice in areas of our operations. We, therefore, must profoundly thank and appreciate them and show our gratitude through the token presentation of an award and recognition on a night like this.”
Dankaka lauded MDAs for their level of engagements with the commission and compliance, to a large extent, with the commission’s guidelines and formulae for recruitment and distribution of infrastructures, socioeconomic amenities and social interventions.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), thanked the commission for keeping to its mandate of establishment.
“When we have regulatory agencies, what matters is not the written guidelines or laws, but those leading them and their commitment to implementing those laws. The chairman has done well in ensuring that we are compliant with the guidelines.”
Also, the chairman of the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, said that compliance is a big issue [among MDAs] in Nigeria.
He commended the commission for its zeal in sustaining the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.
The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of award to staff of the commission who have worked tirelessly in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking in an interview with journalists at the event, director, public affairs and communication, FCC, Dr. Chuks Okoli said the event was one of the ways of sensitising the public of the commission’s mandate.
“Before now. the commission did things low-key. Now it has decided to highlight its activities for the benefit of the public and the nation in general. We promote fair and equitable distribution of public offices for efficiency and national development,” he said.
