By Peter Oriri
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator (Chief) Allwell Onyesoh, DSSRS, JP, FIBAKM (Rivers East), has called on the University of Port Harcourt to ensure strict adherence to the principles of federal character in its recruitment processes. Senator Onyesoh made the statement during an interactive meeting at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Thursday.
The meeting, which also featured the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Jarigbe Agom, included discussions with the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Prof. Clifford Obiyo Ofurum, who represented the institution’s Vice-Chancellor. The agenda focused on the composition of the university’s staff nominal roll and its compliance with federal character requirements.
During the meeting, the treasure-based Senator emphasized the importance of maintaining equity and balance in staffing across federal institutions, stressing that adherence to these principles fosters national unity and ensures equal opportunities for all regions.
“The University of Port Harcourt must consistently uphold the principles of federal character to maintain a balanced and inclusive workforce,” Onyesoh stated. He further urged the university to avoid practices that might undermine these ideals, which are central to the equitable distribution of opportunities within the federal civil service.
Prof. Ofurum, responding on behalf of the university, assured the committee of their commitment to these principles, stating that the institution remains guided by federal character regulations in all its staffing processes.
