1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The public service in Nigeria has been set up on foundations and structures inherited from the colonial period. Nigeria as a diverse nation has been influenced by the activities of trades and missionaries of the British administration.
The most riding interest geared towards establishing political colonial and protecting British interest without getting involved in the affairs of the local people. Nigerians has virtually excluded fr1om senior positions in the public service during the colonial era; its adoption has increased after 1948 and even by the independence of 1st
October, 1960 the service was still dominated by the Europeans. In our country today we have public service been managed by our own experts. According to Nwosu (1991) the principle of federal character is represented in the policies of the various classes in Nigeria since the independence coupled with the emergence of military regimes in the country. It demands that the political leaders should reflect on the principles to ensure that a least one person from each state of the federation is appointed from each state of the federation to represent the people in decision making.The Nigeria public service needs to give much attention with enthusiastic spirit to Nigeria itself rather than their state. Nigerians in their state of origin are denied of employment promotion, award of contracts etc. In the area of admission and employment, to federal institutions it is currently done on state origin or basis. Government has come up with many programme to improve the living standard of the people but these programme most often failed due to lack of unity, selfishness, segregation, tribalism, nepotism, red tapism, to mention few. Therefore the Nigeria public service and implementation of the principle of federal character becomes ineffectual. The study of the case would be useful to other government parastatals or ministries as well as private sector in the country.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In the Nigeria public service and the implementation of the principles of federal character there are profound, deficiencies and weakness inherent and embedded in it that makes it imperative, which will require corrective or supportive measure that are capable of not only counter balance the system but should lessen it to great extent especially in the aspect of favouritism, tribalism, nepotism.
With regards to these deficiencies and weakness, the Nigeria public service has no features of bureaucracy in the implementation of the principle of federal character such as promotion of workers based on professional, merit and ethnic basis etc. The inability to make use of rules and regulation and lack of impersonality of relationship among career professionals in the system causes non-efficiency in achieving their goals.
The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 made it clear, therefore federal character suppose to aimed at promoting national unity but due to that the selection, promotion and training of workers in the public service is based on tribalism, statism, favouritism etc it becomes ineffectual. In fact the division of Nigeria into three regions does not widen the gap for national integration. So the Nigeria public service does not implement the principles of federal character, which ought to put into consideration as a federal state.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
It is the researchers intention to find out whether the federal character in the Nigerian public service encouraged national unity.
Also to find out whether the selection of workers in the public service especially in the federal ministry is based on ethnic basis.
To identify the principles of federal character in Nigeria and to know how the Nigeria public service implements the principles of federal character.
To ascertain if the federal character in the federal ministry of works encourages national unity.
To examine if promotion, promotion and training of workers in the federal ministry of works is based on tribalism, statism and favouritism.
1.4 RESEARCHERS QUESTIONS
The aim of this study is to validity of the various assumptions mentioned below as said by the workers of the federal ministry of works, Awka Anambra State.
iii. Does Federal Ministry of works implement the principles of federal character?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study is design to know how the Nigerian public service implement the principles of federal character using federal ministry of works in Awka Anambra State as a case study. The state will provide necessary professional advise to both private and public service that seeks expert knowledge in the area of implementing the principles of federal character in Nigeria.
This will also be useful to educationist, schools and students for further researchers on the Nigeria public service and the implementation of the principles of federal characters. Finally, federal ministry of works will benefit more from this work. The study would also provide us with useful conclusions and guide, which is relevant in enhancing national unity in Nigeria and aid in our development process.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is restricted to the federal ministry of works, Awka Anambra State.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Owing to time factor, academic stress and lack of financial support, the scope to be covered poses a limit to the generalization of the findings of this work. The study did not involves all the employees of the local government. The researcher was limited to the use of questionnaires method. During the process of writing this project the researcher encountered some problem such as financial difficulties. This undermines the researchers readiness to travel far and wide for fact findings. The cost of typing questionnaire was enormous and lack of financial difficulties led to the reduced of the questionnaire. Time factors also contributes to the reducing of the coverage of the study and the researcher had to attend lectures and also find facts for this research.
Finally, top on the list of problems encountered was limited to poor cooperation show by potential respondents. Some of the respondents are afraid that information revealed by them will get to the knowledge of the authority. This affected the study immensely and led to the draw back in the study. Despite all these, the researcher tried her best to put the work together as it expected.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
For a better understanding of the issue discussed a definition of some terms is given as the key words that keep re-occurring throughout the study. By their definition it is hoped that the reader will be able to follow the discussion from the perspective of the researcher.
1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (background of the study), statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope of the study etc. Chapter two being the review of the related literature presents the theoretical framework, conceptual framework and other areas concerning the subject matter. Chapter three is a research methodology covers deals on the research design and methods adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study