Prof. Akin Oyebode yesterday caused a stir at the National Conference when he proposed that Nigeria should change its name to United States of Songhai (USS). The professor, who is representing Ekiti State in the Conference, said that Nigeria should be changed to United States of Songhai just like Kwame Nkruma changed the former Gold Coast to Ghana. He said that it was obvious that Nigeria as the name of the country has outlived its usefulness. He said, “I propose that we change the name of Nigeria to United States of Songhai just like Nkruma changed Gold Coast to Ghana,” adding that the country is operating caricature federation. Oyebode noted that the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, aptly said the country is running ‘feeding bottle’ federalism. The conference, he added, should consider the issue of fiscal federalism, true federalism, resource control or self determination. Ralph Osanaiye, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, said that problem of the country started when some leaders decided to run down security agencies by starving them of funds and denying them arms and ammunitions. He said that the policy to run down security agencies was deliberate in order to weaken them and incapacitate them from carrying out their primary responsibilities. Michael Olukoya, president of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), traced the challenges facing the country to faulty foundation, saying primary schools have been systematically destroyed by people who benefited from public school system. The NUT boss, who represents the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the Conference, said that in Benue State teachers had been on strike for over six months without anybody talking.
Tag: Oyebode
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Ajibola, El-Rufai, Oyebode, urge FG to tackle corruption, insecurity
Emminent Nigerians on Thursday gathered in Lagos to discuss the state of insecurity and corruption that have bedeviled the country over a long period of time, nearly stalling her development and proffer solutions to the problems.
They include two former Attorney Generals of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) and Godwin Kanu Agabi (SAN), former FCT minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufia , former commissioner for environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, activist Femi Falana (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Pa. Tunji Gomez, and son of the honouree, Segun Aka-Bashorun .
They spoke on the topic: “Law, Corruption and the Future of Nigeria,” at the Alao Aka-Basorun Annual Lecture organised as part of the activities marking the 2013 Law Week of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.
The event held at the Bar Centre, GRA Ikeja, was chaired by Prince Ajibola and had Mrs. Atinuke Aka-Basorun and son, Segun in attendance.
Prince Ajibola lamented that Nigeria now leads as the most corrupt nation in the world.
He advised the government to seriously address problems of insecurity and corruption in the country saying, “otherwise the situation in the country would turn chaotic.”
The Chairman, NBA Ikeja, Mr. Monday Ubani in his opening remarks said that corruption has become a bane to national development as it has reduced the country from being a giant to a “Lilliputian.”
Erudite Professor, Akin Oyebode advocated life imprisonment for those that engage in corruption and other forms of stealing from the public purse.
Prof. Oyebode, who noted that Nigeria is at a cross road on issues of corruption, insecurity and other socio-economic crises, said “there is need to send the right signals to the rest of the population and the international community that we are indeed a seIf-respecting people, wedded to zero tolerance for corruption, opposed to impunity and dedicated promoters of equality before the law.”