By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) Prof. Tunji Olaopa has affirmed that recruitment into the Federal Civil Service is driven by federal character and merit.
Prof. Olaopa stated this when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), led by Dr. Simon Dolly, the Federal Commissioner representing North Central in the Pilgrim Commission in his office.
According to the statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Taiwo Hassan, the Chairman added that apart from merit being the driver of recruitment into the service, a level playing field would be created for all job seekers.
Joined by the FCSC-Hon. Commissioner representing Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States, Dr. Chamberlain Nwele and other Management staff; Olaopa stated that issue of diversity and federal character will also be given credence by giving serious consideration to the People living with Disabilities (PLWDs) and other vulnerable in the society.
While appreciating the delegation for what they are doing at the Commission, he also thanked them for the courtesy call.
He said some cadres are not readily available for recruitment while others are always open for new applicants saying that they will be guided appropriately on how to go about the recruitment procedures at the Commission.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Dolly congratulated FCSC-Chairman for his appointment.
He said the aim of their visit was to see how the Christian-youth can be meaningfully engaged through employment in the Service.
He said most of the youths in core north do not get employment in their State not to talk of Federal Service.
Dolly revealed that Christians in the north were convinced to vote for the President in view of the Muslim-Muslim ticket during last elections.
He further revealed that series of meetings were held to strategize and push the joint ticket through.
According to him, they were stoned in some areas in core north for supporting the idea.
Dolly said their Commission is the one that present government policy to the Christians, pointing out that most of the meetings held in the north were organized by the Commission.
He disclosed that at the period when some Pastors and Bishops were regarded as fake, they were actually real clergymen who believed in Muslim-Muslim ticket. He added that the challenge with last election was its controversial nature ignited by social media.
On his part, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretary General, Prof. Samson Fatokun who accompanied the Federal Commissioner to the event, asserted that as members of CAN and Christians who have contributed to this administration, they felt cheated in the areas of employment as their youths are asking them what is the essence of CAN supporting the Muslim-Muslim ticket.
He emphasized that these youth were very qualified but they have no job. According to him, Christians who supported the President need to benefit from the dividend of democracy.
