The Rebirth Group (TRG) organized a Symposium on having a Nigeria in which everyone would have a sense of belonging and a country to be proud of. The Symposium held on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at Trophy Hotel, Barnawa, Kaduna, Kaduna State. The organisers expressed appreciation to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
The Theme of the Symposium is Envisioning Nigeria’s Future: Addressing the National Question.
The Sub-themes are:
- Restructuring: Pathways to True Federalism.
- Economic Restructuring for Sustainable Development, and
- Unity in Diversity: Building a Cohesive Nigerian Identity.
The Symposium is the second in the series as planned by The Rebirth Group. The first edition held on May 9 this year at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The third edition coming up in the first quarter of next year will take place in the South East by the grace of God. It will then be held in the remaining geo-political zones in the country in turn.
Participants at the Symposium were Representatives of various ethnic communities in Nigeria.
Besides those who were physically at the venue, others participated online through Zoom.
Chairman of the programme was Dr. Bitrus Pogu who was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Alamu. He spoke about the kind of Restructuring that the Middle Belt desires.
The Convener, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, explained to the audience what The Rebirth Group is about and what it sets out to achieve – a Restructured Nigeria.
Dr. P. S. Zira, spoke on Restructuring: Pathways to True Federalism. He was represented by Hon. Henry Mbaya. He expressed the hope that the envisaged Restructured Nigeria would not be one in which a tribe or zone is dominant in terms of advantages or opportunities. Questions, contributions and observations followed.
Lady Jennifer Nakpodia spoke next. Her delivery dwelled majorly on Economic Restructuring for Sustainable Development.
She advocated for Regional structure for the country whereby every Nigerian would benefit from the economy of the country.
Honourable Yusuf Idris Amoke spoke on Unity in Diversity: Building a Cohesive Nigerian Identity.
He submitted that Nigerians are highly endowed. They excel abroad but hardly make the desirable progress at home. He disclosed that the reason for this is because each individual or group tries to outsmart the other – rather than cooperating for the collective interest.
People in the Diaspora also contributed actively – via the online platform.
The kernel of their contributions was that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We should go back to the regional arrangement that worked for us in the past.
It can be redesigned to take cognizance of the present situation.
Organizations represented included Ohaneze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Middle Belt Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Socio-Community Youth Association of Nigeria (SCOYAN), Yoruba Referendum, Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, ICATAFA Igbo Community, Kaduna, Yoruba Community, Kaduna, Tarayyar Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri ChristianAssociation in Nigeria and Western Region Organization (WRO).
Others were Socio-Community Youth Association of Nigeria (SCOYAN), Southern Borno Residents in Kaduna, Yobe Community Residents in Kaduna, Adamawa Community Residents in Kaduna and Taraba Community Residents in Kaduna.
Organisations that delivered solidarity messages included Ohaneze, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, WRO and Afenifere.
Challenges that the country has been facing since its amalgamation in 1914 and since Independence in 1960 were hinted at.
Frank discussions were held but in an atmosphere of the need to build a nation where no group or ethnic nationality would be at an advantage over the others.
Most of Speakers spoke eloquently about the structure of Nigeria and advocated for Restructuring. Although a few voices said that operators of the existing structure are the problem rather than the structure itself. Fear was also expressed as to whether the envisaged Restructuring would not result in a situation that one area would dominate and take advantage of others.
Their fears were allayed by the organizers who stated that the whole essence of the programme is for every group to express the kind of structure expected of Nigeria so that their best interests can be properly served. A situation that would prevent a section to be the one determining the fate of or for another section or sections.
Participants maintained that recommended Restructuring as the way to go for tackling the challenges being faced by Nigerians.
After exhaustive deliberations, participants at the Symposium resolved as follow:
- The way Nigeria is presently structured and is being ran is largely responsible for why the country is not working in the interest of Nigerians.
- Thus, the country should be reorganized into Regions. These Regions should be given more powers over their respective affairs. In other words, the central government is to concern itself only with issues that the federating units cannot handle. The central government should be smaller and smarter.
- Six Regions were recommended at the Ibadan Symposium – perhaps in line with the present geo-political zones. At the Kaduna Symposium however, Eight Regions were proposed. But each region would be equal to the other in status and ranking.
- Restructuring into Regions is not meant to abrogate states that we have presently. The Regions would form the Federating units to make the country to be known as United Regions of Nigeria (URN) or any other nomenclature that we find convenient. Each Region is to have its own Constitution and be autonomous. This is to ensure that they are in a proper position to operationalize self-determination. The restructuring must be such that the community, state and local government from where certain resources come should have 70 per cent of the proceeds of the resources while 30 per cent goes to the center.
- To avoid domination or even sit-tight syndrome, heads of each level of government should be rotational on the basis of the constituents within that enclave. When the head comes from one area the deputy would be from another part. The latter would automatically become the Head of the Government at the end of the tenure of the incumbent. This should be done in a manner that each constituent area in the state, region and the country will have the opportunity to be head of government in turn.
- Setting up of a Restructuring or Rebirth Commission was suggested to make the foregoing a reality.7. Symposiasts felt that avoidable sums of money are being spent under the current presidential system. As such, a return to Parliamentary System of Government was recommended.
- Participants were encouraged to continue the advocacy when they return to their respective places. Just as it was resolved that Women and Youths are to be encouraged and be given more opportunities for greater participation in the affairs of the State, Region or Local Government to which belong.
- Efforts should be made to heal the wounds in the country by, for instance, setting up a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.10. Constitutional roles were advocated for Traditional Rulers in the country.
- Symposiasts expressed appreciation to the organizers of the Symposium and pledged to be active in the efforts to restructure Nigeria in a manner that will make it more people-focused and become so democratic that no one area or group would act as though it is above or superior to the others.
- Appreciation was expressed to the Local Organizing Committee Members, viz:
- Colonel C.B.D. Waziri (rtd) – Chairman
- Dr. Peter Waziri – Member
- Musa Gargati – Member
- Mrs. Laural Lucas – Member.
- Mr. Lado Biliaminu Danjuma
Communique Committee:
Mr. Olaolu Abogunloko – Member
Mr. DIY Nweze – Member
Comrade Jare Ajayi – Chairman.
