President Bola Tinubu has charged local council chairmen across the country to promote fairness, equity and inclusiveness in appointments, administration and the distribution of opportunities and resources at the grassroots.

The President gave the charge yesterday in Abuja in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, at a workshop organised by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for local council chairmen.

The workshop, themed “Translating Federal Character Principles into Local Governance: Bridging Policy and Practice,” sought to strengthen the implementation of the Federal Character principle at the grassroots level.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity remained one of the country’s greatest assets, stressing that its effective management required fairness, justice and inclusiveness.

He noted that the Federal Character principle, as enshrined in Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, provides both an institutional and moral framework for ensuring that the diversity of Nigerians is reflected in governance.

According to him, adherence to the principle is essential to fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty among Nigerians, which he describes as critical to the stability, unity and progress of the nation.

Tinubu described local government councils as a strategic component of Nigeria’s governance architecture because of their proximity to the people.

He therefore urged the council chairmen to make inclusiveness, representation and equity the defining principles of governance at the grassroots.

The President said such an approach would enhance public confidence in government, strengthen social cohesion and reinforce national unity.

He commended the Federal Character Commission for recognising local government as a critical tier in the implementation of Federal Character principles, but cautioned that laws and institutions alone could not guarantee the desired outcomes without visionary leadership, ethical conduct and deliberate commitment.

Tinubu further linked inclusive governance and equitable representation to national development, saying they could help reduce conflicts and create an enabling environment for economic growth and innovation.

The President described the workshop as more than an administrative exercise, saying it offered the participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Federal Character principles and develop practical strategies for integrating them into local governance.

He urged the participants to engage fully with the sessions and commit themselves to the ideals of fairness, equity and national integration.

The President formally declared the workshop open and commended the Federal Character Commission for its “unwavering dedication to promoting national integration.”