As she has done periodically in the last six years, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central District in the upper legislative chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), interacted with her constituents last weekend at a town hall meeting in Surulere, Lagos Mainland. The meeting, the 23rd in the series, took place under the theme, ‘Embracing Our Complexity and Diversity.’ Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI was there.
THE 23rd Town Hall Meeting of the Lagos Central Senatorial District came on the backdrop of the agitation and anger from the Southeast, the eviction notice issued by some youths demanding that fellow Nigerians vacate the North as a result of ethnic disparity and the quest for restructuring as a way forward for Nigeria.
It was perhaps to bring the meeting in tandem with the state of the nation that Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represents the district in the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), chose the theme, “Embracing our complexity and diversity”.
She said despite the seeming tribal animosities, Nigerians can live happily together, if they see their complexity and diversity as a blessing, rather than a curse.
Senator Tinubu said this was only possible, if governments at various levels used an inclusive governance approach, where opportunities were provided to all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic groups, social standing and religious affiliations.
She said Lagos has proved that this is possible, because the different ethnic groups that make up Nigeria reside peacefully within the state. Her words: “This is only possible because of the practice of all-inclusive governance by the Lagos State Government; and provision of opportunities for all regardless of ethnic groups, social standing or religion.”
The lawmaker said Nigeria and other states have a lot to learn in this regard. She added: “We must be able to raise a new generation of compatriots – Nigerians united in the need to embrace diversity, while creating a blueprint for the younger generations to follow, educating our children and unlearning stereotypes.”
Indeed, the senator said there was nothing wrong with ethnicity. Her words: “It can make and create avenues for healthy competition in economic development as exemplified by the period after independence that witnessed robust competition when the Southwest led in cocoa production; the North in the production of groundnuts, cotton and cereals; and the production of palm products and root crops dominated the economy of the Southeast; and where properly harnessed can be gainfully employed for the well-being of all.”
She listed some of the advantages of Nigeria’s diversity. “With this comes the potential to greatly benefit – inter-tribal marriages, opportunities to travel, positions and employment opportunities that will have been otherwise unobtainable, other traditions, cultures and languages abound and are accessible to us,” she said.
Senator Tinubu said over the years, Nigeria has been faced with ethnocentrism, religious intolerance and allegations of marginalisation of minority groups. The result, she added, had been the absence of unity and a viable nation. She blamed the political class for the growing ethnic tension in the country, saying they have been riding on tribal animosities, sentiments and differences to access political office, gain constituents’ support and fulfill personal political ambitions.
Alluding to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidential Broadcast of Monday, August 21, the lawmaker said most Nigerians agree that it was better for the country to remain indivisible. She commended the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) for withdrawing the quit notice earlier issued by the Coalition of Northern Groups, saying other groups should follow suit, by taking back statements capable of leading to hostilities and apprehension.
The APC lawmaker said while it was impossible for Nigerians to erase their ethnic origins and affiliations, “focusing and obsessing over them will only serve to deepen ethnic rifts, differences and entrench parochial consciousness to the detriment of growth and development”.
She said it was amusing that such dichotomy exists even among people of the same ethnic group. Her words: “I have heard certain Yoruba people discriminate or refuse to intra-marry with some other groups of Yoruba people. I have also heard of certain Ibo communities refusing to intra-marry and being weary of dealing with others, due to certain pre-conceived notions.”
Senator Tinubu said Nigerians should re-evaluate their perception and that of others around them to adequately benefit from the diversity of ideas and experiences that are important for the development of the nation. “Thus diversity in all facets of our lives – education, sports, governance, economy etc – must be encouraged to ensure that all citizens participate, contribute and perform optimally,” she added.
Former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Wale Edun, was full of praises for Senator Tinubu, saying: “We need to keep supporting her in what she is doing in Lagos Central.” He added: “There is a particular reason we should be thankful to her: the theme of today’s town hall meeting. That is the topic of the moment.”
Hon. Edun said restructuring or true federalism is not just about revenue sharing. “It is much more complex than revenue sharing; it is about the future of this country and the future of our children,” he said.
In his welcome address, the APC Lagos Central District leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, also said the theme for the 23rd town hall meeting was apt, against the background of recent developments in the country.
Prince Olusi said with the APC trying to articulate its position on restructuring, party chieftains should deliberate on the matter, to find out what kind of federal structure they would love to live under.
He alluded to the quest for a special status for Lagos under the Nigerian federation, saying it is only fair for the state to be compensated for catering for citizens from virtually all ethnics groups in the country. He added: “Any gain that would come to Lagos would not be for the indigenes alone; it will be for the benefit of all Nigerians resident in Lagos.”
Olusi said it was not fair that Lagos accounts for as much as 70 per cent of the Value Added Tax (VAT) that goes into the coffers of the Federal Government, but is not adequately rewarded for providing the enabling environment to generate that revenue.
Senator Tinubu also briefed her constituents about developments in the upper legislative chamber, including activities at the committee level. For instance, a motion sponsored by 108 senators on June 17, on ‘The need for national unity and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria,’ Senator Tinubu said, urged, among others, that Nigerians should embrace patriotism and nationalism, as well as shun divisive comments.
She added: “In contributing to the motion, I stressed on my ties to different ethnic communities, the importance of the different parts that make up the whole, and how we all have something to contribute to the development of Nigeria.”
The senator representing Lagos Central District in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly sponsored the Police Act Amendment Bill within the period between the last town hall meeting and this one. The bill was first read on Thursday, June 15, and debated on Tuesday, July 11. “The bill, among other things, aims to bring in line with current realities, the punishments and fines contained in the act; and to eliminate institutionalisation of bias against women who seek to serve our great nation via the Nigeria Police Force,” she added.
The lawmaker also highlighted other developments in the Senate, including the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill, which was considered and passed; and the ongoing attempts to amend the constitution. On constitutional amendment, she said until Nigeria achieves a system that caters to the most unlikely situations and allows for strong institutions, the work must continue.
Senator Tinubu said: ‘’There were 33 Amendment Bills, including: “Composition of members of the Council of State, to allow for inclusion of former heads of the National Assembly in the Council of State. This was overwhelmingly supported.
“Authorisation of expenditure, reducing time frame within which a President or Governor may authorise expenditure pending appropriation from six months to three months. This was voted for by the majority.”
The amendment bills also include the one that deals with devolution of powers, to move certain items to the Concurrent List, thus enhancing federalism and strengthening the states. Unfortunately, she said, the proposal did not get the required two-thirds majority votes.
In all, she said since the last town hall meeting 34 bills had been presented to the Senate, while 30 bills and 15 motions were considered.
At the committee level, the lawmaker representing Lagos Central District briefed her constituents about the four committees she belongs to: Environment; Employment, Labour and Productivity; Tertiary Education and Tetfund; and Constitution Review. For instance, on environment, she said the report of the Committee on the Erosion Control and Prevention Commission Bill (SB 32) was considered on Thursday, July 6, and subsequently approved and read a third time.
As witnessed in previous town hall meetings, last weekend’s event attracted a lot of distinguished Nigerians, including members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA), the newly-inaugurated local government chairmen, chieftains of the APC at various levels, as well as supporters of the APC at the grassroots, traditional rulers, market men and women, artisans and students.
Some of the personalities are: the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, who was accompanied by a retinue of white cap chiefs; the Deputy Speaker, LSHA, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun; former Deputy Speaker, LSHA, Adetoun Adediran; Surulere Local Government Chairman, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide; and former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Tunde Balogun.
Others include: Oba Owolabi Adeniyi of Igbobi-Sabe, Princess Abba Folawiyo, Alhaja Olufunke Gbajabiamila, Senator Muniru Muse, Hon. Mutiu Aare and Hon. Yahya Dosunmu.
