By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
Ebonyi State government has called on the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments in the State to work with it in ending the marginalization of the State for national benefits.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor, made the call while addressing the newly elected Executives of the body in his office in Abakaliki, the State capital.
According to a press release by Eugene Ebenyi, Head of Public Enlightenment,
Ministry of Information in Abakaliki, the leaders of the federal government establishments were in the Commissioner's office yesterday on a courtesy call.
Okpor who lamented the level of marginalization suffered by Ebonyi people in terms of federal employment and other opportunities, urged the body to collaborate with the State in addressing the anomaly in the promotion of the federal character principle.
He noted that the makers of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in their wisdom created three tiers of government and backed it up with the principle of federal character
Okpor said: "We are calling on you as heads of federal establishments in the State to work with us as partners in progress.
"Another area I want to draw your attention to is the issue of the federal character principle.
"This is one issue that has continued to agitate the minds of the citizens of this State.
"Our people are seriously marginalized in terms of employment opportunities and other gains at the federal level.
"Ebonyi has suffered many forms of marginalization, and the State government wants to bring it to your attention because you are in a position that can allow you to add your voice to this issue of marginalization.
"When opportunities come for employment, we want you to employ your office to let the people in charge know that Ebonyi people deserve chances.
"We are a federating unit and we deserve our fair share of all opportunities, not only employment, coming from the federal government.
"We expect from you information in that regard; if you give us information of such opportunities, I want to assure you that our Governor will surely take it up.
"That is one of the major ways we can enjoy the federal government's decision to bring your establishments to the State."
The leader of the group and new State chairman of the Association, Professor Ama Aka Udu, while addressing the Commissioner said they were in his office to familiarize themselves with the government.
He noted that they chose the Information Ministry as a priority in their familiarization visit because of its strategic position among other Ministries.
He applauded Governor Francis Nwifuru's excellent performance so far in the area of security in the State, workers' and retirees' welfare and general development of the State.
Udu, who is also the State Coordinator, at the National Open University of Nigeria, urged the Commissioner to redouble his efforts in collaboration with the media to further advance the dissemination of the Governor's laudable achievements beyond the State.
"Since the Governor assumed office, he has done so many things worth writing, and we need to project them outside here.
"All of us residing in Abakaliki know very well that the security situation is being normalized.
"Is it the payment of pensions that were hanging over the years or the clearing of debts to Ebonyi State University?
"All these media outlets, VON, NTA, FRCN, CHANNELS, AIT, among others should be engaged from time to time to tell the Ebonyi Story to the outside World.
"That will help change the erroneous notion about the security situation and other development indices in the State" Udu stated.
The Chairman was accompanied in the visit by the State Correspondent of Voice of Nigeria and the State Secretary of the Association, Moses Nwite, among other Executives.
