A group under the aegis of Concerned Plateau Youths has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission to ensure that qualified Plateau indigenes are appointed to head federal institutions located in the state.
The group’s Convener, Nanla Nanzing, made the appeal on Friday during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, where he expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as the continuous appointment of non-indigenes to lead federal institutions in Plateau State.
Nanzing, however, clarified that the group’s position was not a personal attack on the current heads of the institutions.
“We acknowledge the qualifications and contributions of the individuals currently occupying these offices. However, we find it difficult to ignore the pattern that has emerged over the years, he said.
According to him, the institutions currently headed by non-indigenes include the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, headed by Dr. Nick Nwankpa as Acting Director-General/Chief Executive Officer; the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, led by Dr. Chukwu O. Chukwu as Provost; and the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, under Dr. (Mrs.) C.C. Iheukwumere-Ojemudia as Acting Provost.
Others are the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology (FCMLST), Jos, headed by Prof. Sunday Nkereuwem; the University of Jos, led by Professor Tanko Ishaya as Vice-Chancellor; the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), headed by Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin as Director-General; the Federal College of Forestry, Jos, under Dr. Sunday S. Mailumo as Provost; the National Centre for Remote Sensing, Jos, led by Dr. David Nyomo Jeb; the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, headed by Professor Ayo Omotayo; and the NTA College, Jos, under Mrs. Pauline Suleiman as Rector.
Nanzing maintained that the cumulative effect of these appointments has created a widespread perception among Plateau citizens that they are being systematically excluded from leadership opportunities in federal institutions situated within their ancestral land.
He appealed to President Tinubu and relevant federal authorities to uphold the principles of equity, fairness, and the federal character policy by ensuring that competent Plateau indigenes are given the opportunity to lead federal institutions in the state.
