Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project
(SERAP) has sent an open letter to Godwin Emefiele,
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
requesting that he immediately withdraws hundreds of letters of employment issued following a seriously corrupt recruitment process and to put in place a system of recruitment and hiring based on the principles of non-discrimination, transparency,participation and objective criteria such as merit,equity and aptitude.
Warning that it would sue, SERAP said: “Should Mr
Emefiele and the CBN fail and/or neglect to act as
requested within 14 days of the receipt and/or
publication of this letter, the Registered Trustees of
SERAP shall take appropriate legal action to ensure
effective remedies for millions of Nigerians that have been denied equal opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. And this may be without further notice to you.”

In a statement issued on 18 March and signed by
SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni, it
said: “This corrupt process amounts to a
fundamental breach of constitutionally and
internationally recognized human rights of millions
of Nigerians particularly the right to equality and
non-discrimination, to work and to human dignity.”
“Instead of the CBN promoting equality of
opportunity and access to employment for all
Nigerians, it has perpetrated discrimination, and
therefore denied an opportunity for economic
self reliance and in many cases a means for millions of Nigerians to escape poverty and live a life of dignity.”

“The process also directly breaches article 7 of the
UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified. Article 7 requires institutions like the CBN to adopt, maintain and strengthen systems for the recruitment and hiring of civil servants that are
based on principles of transparency and objective
criteria such as merit, equity and aptitude.”
“SERAP believes that by the secret recruitment,
millions of otherwise qualified Nigerians have been
treated less favourably than the children of the
politically and economically connected. This
differential treatment is arbitrary and cannot be
reasonably and objectively justified. It can in fact
result in pervasive discrimination, stigmatization and negative stereotyping. The secret recruitment also offends the requirement for Nigeria to make the labour market open to everyone in the country.”
“SERAP notes that non-discrimination and equality
are essential for the exercise and enjoyment of other constitutionally and internationally recognized
human rights, as well as equal and effective
protection before and of the law. We also remind you that every Nigerian has the right to be able to work, allowing him/her to live in dignity.”
“SERAP is seriously concerned that the secret
recruitment unfairly deprives millions of Nigerians
the right to work, impermissibly limiting their
freedom regarding the choice to work, and
undermining their personal development and social
and economic inclusion. While the right to work is
not an absolute and unconditional right to obtain
employment, it implies the right of access to a
system of protection guaranteeing every eligible
Nigerian access to employment, and the right not to
be unfairly deprived of employment.”

“The secret recruitment has therefore impaired and
nullified the exercise of the rights of Nigerians,
especially disadvantaged and marginalized
individuals and groups to human dignity, equality
and non-discrimination.”
“Furthermore, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as
amended) provides in section 42 that a citizen of
Nigeria of a particular group shall not, by reason only that he is such a person: a) be subjected to
disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other groups are not made subject; or be
accorded any privilege or advantage that is not
accorded to all citizens of Nigeria.”
“Section 16(2) provides that the economic system will not be operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a
group, such as the politically and economically
connected or their children.”
“Section 17 provides that the state social order is
founded on ideals of freedom, equality and justice.
Subsection (3) of the same section provides that the
state shall direct its policy towards, ensuring that all
citizens without discrimination on any group
whatever, have the opportunity for securing
adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate
opportunity to secure suitable employment.”

“According to reports, the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) carried out an alleged secret recruitment of
over 900 employees on your directive and under your supervision. Many of the beneficiaries are said to be children and relatives of the politically and
economically connected. Our information suggests
that there were no prior notifications on the
recruitment through advertisements to give all
Nigerians the opportunity to participate.”







MY THOUGHT:
It is high time we take a critical look at where our problem lies. While hitherto they use religion,ethnicity,culture and other affiliation to separate us,to pit us against one another and out of ignorance we malign one another and verbally maim ourselves while our common enemies keep soaring in our wake.
Isn't ironic this is happening in the era of our so-called "CHANGE".
It is sacrosanct to recognise our common enemy and take requisite measures to counter the activities of these economic BUCCANEERS that think our common wealth belongs to them and their cronies and whoever they deem fit.

Republic of Biafra is not the answer,Oduduwa Republic is not the answer,Arewa Republic is not the answer,Revolution? Your guess is as good as mine. Here is a good place to start.

#PleaseWiseUp.