The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has advocated restructuring that will cement the unity of Nigeria and engender a perfect union among its peoples irrespective of their ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic differences.
Fayemi also called for an equitable revenue allocation formula that will speak to the federalism Nigeria has adopted and give more resources to states and local governments which carry more responsibilities.
The Governor made the remarks on Saturday while speaking as the guest lecturer at the 50th Anniversary of the Centre for Historical Documentation and Research (Arewa House) in Kaduna.
According to him, a review of the sharing formulae to 43 per cent for states, 35 per cent to the federal and 23 per cent to the local governments will go a long way to devolve more responsibilities to constituent units and reduce the concentration of powers at the centre.
Speaking on the topic, Unfinished Greatness…Towards a More Perfect Union in Nigeria, Dr. Fayemi, said building Nigeria to the status of a country that commands global respect is a continuous work in progress.
Fayemi who insisted that the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by the British was not a mistake as some have argued, adding that the country can use the diversity to achieve greatness if Nigerians would utilize the inherent opportunities.
He appealed to Nigerians to come together and urgently tackle issues that divide them if the dreams of the founding fathers including the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto are to be realised by the present generation.
The Ekiti State Governor said all ethnic nationalities should be made to feel important in the Nigerian project hence preference should not be given to a particular ethnic group over others.
Dr. Fayemi explained that Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic nationalities has managed its diversity whereas some countries in Eastern Europe had balkanised into smaller nations while Britain is yet to find a definitive answer to the Irish, Welsh and Scottish question.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), however, identified sincerity in handling the issue of restructuring as a means of giving assurance to stakeholders of the Nigerian project that achieving greatness through unity in diversity was still possible.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru Elrufai has called on the Federal legislators and the National Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitutional Review to take advantage of the APC True Federalism report and initiate the constitutional and legislative amendments in either a piece-meal or comprehensive manner without further delay.
He made the call at the public lecture commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Arewa House held in Kaduna.
Governor Elrufai explained that the Committee has produced clear recommendations to strengthen federalism and achieve national cohesion and healthy sub-national competition.
He said APC Committee on True Federalism proposed significant devolution of powers between the national government and the 36 States, and recommended devolution of responsibilities between the States and Local Governments depending on local circumstances, culture, capacity and capability.
“I had the privilege of chairing the APC Committee on True Federalism with membership across the political and demographic spectrum to lay out our party’s roadmap for our nation’s greatness,” he noted.
He pointed out that, the committee made efforts to accelerate the implementation of its recommendations by producing draft bills that incorporate the recommendations either as proposed amendments to Constitution or national laws.
Governor Nasir El-rufai also paid tribute to the vision of the six governors of the northern states who decided in 1970 to establish the centre that has become a research centre of international repute.
According to him, they chose to honour the memory and service of the only Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, on the grounds of his official residence.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Namadi Sambo said Arewa house remained one of the centre that bring together different ethnic groups for peace and development.
Alhaji Namadi Sambo appealed to the Nigerian youths to exercise restraint while they demand for an end to alleged police brutality.
He urged them to remained law abiding while the federal government addresses their grievances with urgency that it deserved.
Governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Ekiti, Kaduna, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Mohammed Saad Abubakar, among other dignitaries attended the event.
