FG planning policies to address agitations, marginalisation — Osinbajo

Without restructuring, Nigeria’ll soon go moribund —Nwodo

By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja—Following agitations for secession by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and counter accusations by Arewa youth groups and others in the Niger Delta and Middle Belt, Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said yesterday, the Federal Government was planning to come out with policies to address perceived marginalisation, lack of inclusiveness and inequity.

He spoke even as Ohanaeze Ndigbo president, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, argued that Nigeria, as currently constituted, was not a federation, stressing that unless the country was restructured, it would soon become moribund.

Osinbajo, who spoke at the official presentation of the book, entitled “Nigeria, The Restructuring Controversy,” written by Dr. Mike Okiro, Chairman, Police Service Commission and former Inspector General of Police, expressed joy that the book presentation was coming at a very auspicious time when Nigerians across the world were talking about restructuring.

Represented by Senator Babafemi Ojodu, Special Adviser on Political Matters, the Acting President said the Federal Government was taking serious note of all the talks, debates and discussions about the issue.

He said:  “The beauty of Nigeria as a nation, unlike other countries, is that we don’t quickly take to any arms and fight over issues. It is good to talk, debate and bring out possible solutions, which are what is happening.

“We can assure Nigerians that we are looking at all the contributions being made, and very soon, we are going to come out with policies that will address some of these agitations.

“I know for a fact that we all believe in this country. No matter who you are, we are all committed to Nigeria. Yes, there is challenge of lack of inclusiveness. Many are unemployed, many others don’t have food to eat. Others are having issues with identity of whom they are and where they belong.

“But we cannot go back to issues we resolved during the civil war. We are working to achieve equity, justice and fairness. We want a situation where every Nigerian wakes up and is able to feed himself, every Nigerian wakes up and are employed.  Then all these issues will be over.

 

Without restructuring, Nigeria’ll soon go moribund —Nwodo

Chairman of the occasion, General Abdusalami Abubakar, former Head of State, who was represented by Ohanaeze Ndigbo president, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, posited that the imbalance in the country at present was regrettable.

He said: “This is not a country of equal opportunities that our founding fathers craved for and this is because of the faulty structure we have today. Therefore, restructuring has become an inevitable ‘sine qua non’ for the future of Nigeria to address the pitfalls and shortcomings.”

Recalling the togetherness, which existed among the various tribes of the past, to the extent that a Hausa man from Katsina became the Mayor of Enugu and was well liked, Chief Nwodo decried present day happening in education, economy and others.

“He said: “If this structure continues, and the way everybody relies on oil revenue for sharing, our country will become useless. Our country’s economy will become moribund. We don’t have a federation at present.

Author of the book, Dr. Mike Okiro, in his remarks, said: “My sincere hope is that the book will assist the government, especially in reining in the centrifugal forces that have for long been threatening the peaceful co-existence, development and progress of Nigeria as a strong, united and virile nation.

 

“Nigeria is widely acclaimed as a ‘unity in diversity’ nation. However, bitter contest for power, mutually shared ethnic and religious intolerance and suspicion, claims of marginalization and sundry injustices, as well as violent conflicts have hindered the cultural and religious diversity potentials”.

The book was reviewed by the chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspaper, Sam Omatseye.

Dignitaries at the occasion include ex-IGPs, Alliyu Attah, Tafa Balogun,  Sunday  Ehindero, MD Abubakar and Solomon Arase.

Others are former Governors Ikedi Ohakim, Prof. Osaremen Osubor, former CJN, Justice Alfa Belgore, Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Maurice Iwu, Senator Solomon Ewuga, Senator Alasoadura, Dr. Okauro, DG, Governors Forum, Alhaji Idi Farouk, former DG NOA, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Chief Simon Okeke, and former Chairman Police Service Commission.

Also in attendance were DIGs, AIGs and Commissioners of Police, serving and retired.

 

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