The Commissioner representing Lagos State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC) Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah, on Friday pledged to stop the problem of non-indigenes violating the Federal Character Principle by impersonating Lagosians.
Bawa-Allah noted that some traditional rulers might be complicit in the problem out of ignorance. He spoke during a stakeholder engagement on the FCC’s activities with representatives of the three Lagos Senatorial Districts. President Muhammadu Buhari on July 2 appointed Bawa-Allah and one commissioner each from the 36 states of Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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The FCC is chaired by Dr. Muyiba Faridabah Dankaka. It was observed at the meeting that despite the FCC’s efforts, some non-indigenes fraudulently obtain Lagos certificates of origin, thereby depriving Lagosians of opportunities available under the Federal Character Principle. They noted that this explained the near non-existence of genuine Lagosians in some, particularly lower levels, of some Federal Government agencies. Bawa-Allah, a prince noted that one way out of the problem is to engage with taditional rulers who sign off such certificates.
He said: “The benefit of this appointment is that I am a born, raised, bred Lagosian. I have also played active politics in the state in the last 17 years that I returned to Nigeria.
Also, coming from the Royal Family of Ojomu Ilase in Eti-Osa, and from the Eyo-Adimu Family in Isale Eko, I believe with this birthright and connection to the royalty, and understanding the fabric of Lagos State, this is a problem that we can overcome and solve with ease.
[The Nation]
