No More Selling Of Jobs At FCC – Peter Eze

The Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze, has declared that the era of alleged job racketeering in federal recruitment is over, saying the current leadership of the commission is determined to restore transparency and ensure that every part of Nigeria enjoys fair representation in government employment.

Eze, who made this known in an interview with select journalists in Abuja at the weekend. outlined the new direction of the commission under its Executive Chairman, Ayo Omidiran, describing the current management as a reform-driven team focused on repositioning the agency.

According to him, the commission is now prioritising technology-driven monitoring and stricter compliance with the federal character principle to ensure fairness in recruitment across federal ministries, departments and agencies.

“You know the Federal Character Commission in the past may have been underreported, probably because leadership did not pay attention to that,” Eze said. “But the current commission under our able Executive Chairman, Honourable Ayo Omidiran, is totally different. It is a new team that has come to reshape and reform the commission.”

He explained that the commission’s reforms are aimed at addressing long standing grievances about unequal representation and promoting national unity.

“We are paying so much attention to technology-driven compliance to make sure Nigerians feel the impact of federal character principles. If Nigerians feel that impact, issues of disunity and complaints from different regions will reduce because every part of the nation will be taken care of,” he said.

The Enugu commissioner also addressed allegations of job racketeering in the past, stressing that the current leadership has adopted a zero-tolerance stance against such practices.

“On the issue of selling jobs, investigations showed that things like that may have happened in the past,” he said. “But with our new Executive Chairman, there is zero tolerance for such. Selling jobs makes no sense because it shuts the door on qualified people who deserve employment. It doesn’t even leave room for the poor or for first-class graduates to get employment.

“You know our executive chairman is very passionate about this; she’s passionate about correcting these anomalies. It is not going to be business as usual.

Eze noted that one of the key reforms being introduced is to ensure that job vacancies in government agencies are publicly advertised rather than filled through opaque processes.

“What we are trying to do now is to reduce the level of leeway given to MDAs and insist that vacancies must be advertised so that people are aware and can participate,” he said.

“When jobs are advertised, people can key into areas where they feel passionate to serve. Give us some months, and you will see the difference in the Federal Character Commission.”

He emphasised that the commission welcomes constructive criticism as it implements reforms.

“If we do good, give us our flowers. But if we do wrong, criticise us constructively. We are not afraid of that because we want to reposition the place and make Nigerians know that there is a change — that there is a new sheriff in town.”

Speaking on his mandate as commissioner representing Enugu State, Eze pledged to ensure that the state is not shortchanged in federal recruitment.

“I’m going to represent Enugu State in such a way that when next you hear about the Enugu representative at the Federal Character Commission, you remember Peter Eze,” he said.

He explained that his office is already identifying federal agencies where people from Enugu State are underrepresented.

“I’m paying so much attention to agencies where our people are underrepresented, and we will make sure they are properly represented,” he said.

Eze also stressed the need for greater awareness among citizens about opportunities in federal institutions.

“A lot of people do not understand that they need to get involved in certain activities that will make them part of the system. So I will invest in sensitising our people,” he said.

Low participation in security recruitment

The commissioner expressed concern about the low number of applicants from Enugu State in the ongoing security sector recruitment, particularly the current Police Service Commission recruitment of 50,000 personnel.

He noted that figures available to the commission show that the South-East, including Enugu, has significantly lower participation compared to other regions.

“Our subscription to police recruitment is very low compared to other regions,” he said.

He partly attributed this to perception issues and urged young people in the state to see security careers as respectable opportunities.

“Our people should not look at the police as a side road. We must encourage them to apply so that our state will not complain tomorrow that others dominate the system while our people stayed away,” he added.

Beyond his official duties, Eze also highlighted his philanthropic initiatives to support development in his home communities.

He disclosed that he is currently constructing a 2.5-kilometre road linking three communities in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, adding that the project includes drainage infrastructure.

“The earthwork has been done, and the stone base will be completed this week. By the end of the month, the asphalt will be laid,” he said.

According to him, the project reflects his broader commitment to community development beyond his statutory responsibilities.

In addition, he said he has sponsored several young Nigerians to international training programmes.

“At least 11 people have gone to China for seminars on full sponsorship,” he said. “These things may not be part of the jurisdiction of the Federal Character Commission, but on a personal note, I believe in contributing to the development of our people.”

Eze reaffirmed that both his work at the commission and his personal initiatives are driven by a desire to promote fairness, opportunity and national development.

“The primary focus is to support Nigeria and do anything possible that will lead to the growth of the nation,” he said. “If Nigeria is good for everyone, then it will be good for all of us.”