Former Commonwealth Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku, Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and erstwhile Foreign Affairs Minister Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu yesterday renewed calls for a true federal constitution.
They warned that many countries that failed to address their pluralism with a genuine federal constitution had since disintegrated.
The three elder statesmen spoke at the 14th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance in Enugu.
The theme of the conference organised by the board of Youth Affairs International Foundation was “The Imperative of Good Governance: Nigeria in a Global Comparative perspective.”
In his remarks, Anyaoku said that at 92, he regrets that Nigeria is still struggling with numerous challenges.
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He said: ‘’I have been quite consistent in advocating for a new democratic constitution for Nigeria, which addresses our plurality.
‘’This country was more peaceful and was developing faster in the first six years of our independence because it had a genuine federal constitution, which allowed the four regions to take care of their regional development, their social amenities, education, health, and internal security.”
Prof. Gambari, who was the guest speaker, said that radical restructuring of Nigeria’s federal arrangement was needed to address its many challenges.
He said the restructuring must involve a rejig of the leadership recruitment process, retooling of the state as a guarantor of security, unity, equal citizenship, a new elite consensus, a complete overhaul of political parties and a greater attention to constitutionalism.
Nwachukwu, who chaired the event, stressed the need for transformative leadership.
He said, “ I have long been advocating for the restructuring of Nigeria to become a proper federation, one that allows state autonomy and brings governance closer to the people.
‘’It should also allow states access to their mineral and human resources for their development.
“I stand for respect for the Rule of Law, the need for a forthright and independent Judiciary, a more effective and responsive military, police and intelligence services.
“I also stand for the creation of state police and local policing for our communities. And above all, a school system that allows relevant human resource development.”
The event served as a platform for Anyaoku to hail host Governor Peter Mbah for his positive strides in Enugu State.
The former Commonwealth Secretary General described Mbah as an epitome of good governance and a man genuinely and quietly transforming the state.
His words: “Allow me the privilege of describing him (Mbah) as a truly performing governor. Yesterday(Monday) I was given glimpses of projects that have either been completed or in active progress towards completion.
‘’I saw, for example, this magnificent International Conference Centre. I saw an array of CNG buses at the Okpara Square. I saw the Smart Green Schools, which I gather that the governor plans to replicate in every electoral constituency (wards), and I learnt that there are as many as 260 of them. I was also able to visit a state-of-the-art bus station, the Holy Ghost Terminal.
“So, I would say that Governor Peter Mbah is genuinely transforming Enugu State, which used to be described as a civil service state. He is transforming it into an industrial, educational hub and agricultural innovation.
“The surprising thing is that all these developments are going on with little publicity. I had expected, as my experience visiting many other states in this country has shown me that in places where you have two to three projects going, you will have massive publicity of them. But not so in Enugu.
‘’ Governor Peter Mbah is not just a performing governor, but he is also a noiseless performing governor.”
The governor, in his contributions, emphasised that “good governance-or-lack – or lack of it – is often the fine margins between an ascendant state and one on a downward trajectory.”
He, therefore, charged leaders to move beyond the realm of ideas into the realm of practicality and renewed his call for people-centred governance and investment in the youth.
“Good intentions alone do not translate to good leadership. Good leadership proceeds from the understanding that the people should be the centrepiece of state policies and projects,” he said.