Says representative in NNPC acting as MD without confirmation
A group of eminent Lagosians, De Renaissance Patriots, has again condemned the marginalisation of Lagos State indigenes in Federal Government appointments.
In a statement signed by President of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, Adelani Adeniji-Adele, and Secretary-General, Yomi Tokosi, the group, while dispelling the misconceptionthat since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, he had been nepotistic in his appointments by favouring Lagos State or its indigenes, said that most of the so-called “Lagos boys” that are beneficiaries of the appointments were not indigenes of Lagos State but indigenous to other states.
It said that only three of the appointees were actually indigenes of the state, including Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of staff to the President), Hakeem Muri-Okunola (Principal Private Secretary to the President) and Yemi Cardoso (Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) whose appointments are not subjected to any constitutional provision that stipulates spread as in Federal Character.
The statement reads in part: “We are making this clarification so that Nigerians will know that Lagos State has not unduly benefited from the current administration and we are seizing this opportunity to appeal to the President to treat Lagos State indigenes fairly and equally in his appointments. Let’s give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”
“To demand adjustment in federal institutions that will reflect Federal Character, especially in NNPC and its top managerial levels.
“Out of the 55 chief executives in the NNPC, 36 are from northern Nigeria, while only 16 represent the entire southern region.
“When we look into our state’s representation in NNPC, we could only identify one indigene at that level and the person’s career progression has been thwarted unfairly for sometimes.
“We reference Dr AdebimpeFoluso Pearce that joined the NNPC in April 1992 as a medical officer and rose through the ranks and became a Deputy Manager, Occupational Health in 2007 (one of the youngest). She became a full manager three years later in 2010.
“She managed Mosimi Zone (2013 to 2016), Lagos Medical zone (May 2016 till September 2023) and moved to Abuja as acting MD, NNPC Medical Services, but had been stagnated on the acting position since then even after the substantive holder of that position had retired.
“Against the normal trend of things, she ought to have been confirmed as she will retire next year.”
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