Gana Canvasses True Federalism as Panacea to Nigeria’s Security Challenges

Funmi Ogundare
The Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Lagos, Prof. Jerry Gana, yesterday called on the federal government to seek sustainable ways to ensure Nigerians continue to live together in peace and harmony as citizens by correcting the defects in the federal system of a true federation.

He expressed concern that all is not well with the structure and related devolution of powers in the federation, noting that to be able to function well, federation must have a balanced and equitable structure of federating units.

“This is the reason we cannot live together in peace and harmony considering the carnage in the north eastern part of the country,” he said

Gana made this known in his remarks at the 2015/2016 convocation ceremonies of the University of Lagos, which witnessed the conferment of Honorary Doctorate to the Shehu of Borno and the seventh Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; Professor John Pepper Clark and Professor of Chemical Engineering, Ayodele Francis Ogunye.

He said Nigerians must together resolve the contentious issue of fiscal federalism such that who gets what, when and where to be put into consideration, adding when it is not equitable, there will be tension in the land.

“Life is so precious, we cannot continue to kill ourselves, we should live together and agree on how to live,” he said.
The former minister added that every Nigerian should be regarded as equals and first class citizens, noting that since people cannot live together unless they fully agree to do so, there is need for dialogue and consultation which is the essence of democracy.

“Many have argued that the states have become too weak to serve as effective federating units to mediate relations with a powerful centre, hence the call for restructuring to find a fair, balanced, equitable but functional federal structure,” Gana said
The recurring matters cannot be resolved by force,” he noted, while appealing to the federal government to also look at the major recommendations of the wisdom of the 2014 National Conference for immediate implementation.

The chairman of the governing council whose tenure will expire in February also appealed to the federal government to ensure the diversion of water coming from the Atlantic to the Lake Chad basin saying: “This matters can be looked into so that people can live together in peace.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Rahaman Ade-Bello, commended the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for the efforts put in to fight insecurity and corruption facing the nation, adding that the successes achieved by the military in flushing out Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa forest are highly commendable.
Similarly, he said the efforts at changing the mindsets of Nigerians on corruption related issues have been yielding fruits and need to be maintained.

According to him, “All Nigerians must latch on to the change mantra to free our nation from the burden it currently carries as a result of long periods of not paying full attention to our infrastructure needs while developing high tastes for foreign goods . We pray for a quick turnaround of our economy for all your restructuring.”

The Shehu of Borno who responded on behalf of the honorees, enjoined every member of the university community to continue to promote and sustain the cherished values for which the university is known for, saying: “With our collective support, I am sure this university would keep standing for the present and future generations; providing the much needed leadership and manpower development requirements of the nation for many years to come.”