An Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, has threatened to drag the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to court following what he described as “discriminatory” recruitment process.
Olajengbesi, in a letter addressed to the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, on March 26, vowed to approach the court to ensure protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians who were qualified to apply but were barred from participating because of age criteria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the criteria for Graduate Trainee among others require applicants to have graduated from an accredited University/Polytechnic/Monotechnic not earlier than 2014.
The criteria also required that applicants must not be more than 28 years of age as at Dec. 31, 2018.
Olajengbesi, however, pointed out that the criteria and process violated section 3(e)(iv) of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) 2009, which protected the public interest of Nigerians.
“Following the advertisement for the 2019 NNPC recruitment for Graduate Trainee, Experienced Hires, Senior Officers and Supervisory Cadre on your official website, dated March 13, 2019 of which the criteria for application include that an applicant must not be above the ages of 28, 34 and 37 respectively.
The letter read in part, “The NNPC as a federal entity must be at the vanguard of safeguarding and justifying this provision through its dealings with the public.
“It is rather disheartening that an esteemed Corporation such as NNPC has set itself on the path of total disregard of constitutional provisions, while being an agent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Source: Daily Trust
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