JONATHAN WANTS SENSITIVE FG POSTS ADVERTISED

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Jonathan wants sensitive FG posts advertised
•Kicks against man-know-man appointment
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
Friday April 13, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said henceforth, sensitive government positions such as Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Managing Director of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), would be advertised and filled up strictly on merit . He said the era of “man know man” to get job or political appointment is gradually coming to an end.

He made the declaration during the presidential award ceremony for the 2011/2012 YouWin winners at the Banquet Hall of the presidential villa.
The presidential award category under the YouWin Programme was designed to reward one beneficiary from each of the six geopolitical zones, whose business plan was adjudged the best by a panel of distinguished entrepreneurs, within that zone. The award is in the sum of N500,000 to six winners from each of the geopolitical zone.

“Recently, I have directed the coordinating minister of the economy and the minister of health to advertise two positions, the executive chairman of Federal Inland Revenue and the executive secretary of the National Health Insurance program to all Nigerians. I don’t need to know who gets them, these are very sensitive offices that so many people are clamouring for but I have asked them to advertise and get neutral body to do the interview. We are going to do that for some of these sensitive offices that need professionals because that is the only way this government can put round pegs in round holes and square pegs in square holes. And if we are able to do that, definitely we can then get Nigeria to where these young people want it to be,” he said.

Jonathan, who commended the process which threw up the 1,200 youths for the first phase of the programme, assured that his administration had commenced the process of enthroning merit ahead of mediocrity.
He stressed that the six awardees were not selected based on their geo-political zones but where their businesses were located, adding, “this emphasizes merit. Nigerians should be encouraged to live anywhere in the country and do business.

We must be seen as a nation that de-emphasizes our goe-political zones, I’m a northerner I’m a southerner, I’m from South-south I’m from North east, will not help the growth of our nation. In fact even at the political level, this administration is committed to stop a situation where a Nigerian must know somebody before he gets something, this situation must end. And we are beginning to demonstrate that, even in our political appointment, some of the political offices have to be advertised for all Nigerians to compete so that we select the best.”

While urging the first batch of beneficiaries of YouWin not to disappoint the confidence reposed on them, the President said though the country was experiencing challenges in power supply and infrastrutural development, his administration was committed to encouraging local content procurement to boost the morale of manufacturers as well as reduce unemployment. He said this was also responsible for FEC’s decision to back local content procurement because according to him, there would be multiplier effect.

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