Okiro’s Book Presentation: FG to initiate policies to address Agitations, Marginalization Accusations; we cannot go back to civil war issues- Osinbajo.

Against the backdrop of agitations and counter allegations of secession by IPOB, Biafra, Arewa and other groups in the country, the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has said the federal government is planning to come out with policies that will address perceived marginalization, lack of inclusiveness and equity.

Osinbajo who spoke at the official presentation of the book ‘Nigeria, The Restructuring Controversy’ written by Dr. Mike Mbama Okiro, Chairman, Police Service Commission and a retired Inspector General of Police expressed joy that the book presentation is coming at a very auspicious time when Nigerians across the world are talking about restructuring.

Represented by Senator Babafemi Ojodu, Special Adviser on Political Matters, he said the federal government was taking seriously, note of all the talks, debates and discussions about the issue.

The Acting President said, “The beauty of Nigeria as a nation unlike other countries is that we don’t quickly take to any arms and fight over issues. It is good to talk debate and bring out possible solutions which are what is happening.

“We can assure Nigerians that we are looking at all the contributions being made, and very soon, we are going to come out with policies that will address some of these agitations”.

Continuing the Acting President said, “I know for a fact that we all believe in this country. No matter who you are, we are all committed to Nigeria. Yes there is challenge of lack on inclusiveness. Many are unemployed; many others don’t have food to eat. Others are having issues with identity of whom they are and where they belong”.

“But we cannot go back to issues we resolved during the civil war. We are working to achieve equity, justice and fairness. We want a situation where every Nigerian wake up and is able to feed himself, every Nigerian wakes up and are employed. Then all these issues will be over”.

“No country in the world has resolved issues of nationality through fighting” he said, citing Sudan and South Sudan and the former Soviet Union, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Therefore, we must not do anything that will make us fight against one another. Something will be done to make our country peaceful, leave-able and accommodating for all of us”

Chairman of the occasion, General Abdusalami Abubakar, former head of State, who was represented by Ohaneze Ndigbo President, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, posited that because of the imbalances of the Nigerian nation, “We have come to a junction in the history of our country that is most regrettable today”.

“This is not a country of equal opportunities that our founding fathers craved for and this is because of the faulty structure we have today. Therefore restructuring has become an inevitable ‘sine qua non’ for the future of Nigeria to address the pitfalls and shortcomings”.

Recalling the togetherness which existed among the various tribes of the past to the extent that a Hausa man from Katsina became the Mayor of Enugu and was well liked, Chief Nwodo decried present day happening in education, economy and others.

“He said, “If this structure continues, and the way everybody relies of oil revenue for sharing, our country will become useless. Our country’s economy will become moribund. We don’t have a federation presently. A federation is coming together of autonomous states, which should develop their communities and support the center.

Author of the book, Dr. Mike Okiro in his remarks said, “My sincere hope is that the book will assist that national government especially in reining-the centrifugal forces that have for long been threatening the peaceful co-existence, development and progress of Nigeria as a strong, united and virile nation.

“Nigeria is widely acclaimed as a ‘unity in diversity’ nation. However, bitter contest for power, mutually shared ethnic and religious intolerance and suspicion, claims of marginalization and sundry injustices, as well as violent conflicts have hindered the cultural and religious diversity potentials”.

“As at the time I completed the compilation of this book in December 2016, what was resonating nationwide was clamour for restructuring. Today the issues on national lips centers on the ‘Quit Notice’ ultimatum and counter threats. All these are indicate a crack in the wall of the nation’s unity which out to be strongly cemented and in good time in interest of national peace and progress.

“My strong conviction is that Nigeria will emerge an unstoppable giant on the path of peace, rapid development and progress, not by dissolving into mushroom republics or along ethno-religious lines, but by a leadership-led reconstruction that accords iron-cast deference and reverence to justice, equity and fair play in the face of the worst of odds”. Okiro said.

The book was reviewed by the Chairman. Editorial Board of the Nation, Sam Omatseye.

Dignitaries at the occasion include ex-IGPs Alliyu Attah, Tafa Balogun, Sunday Ehindero, MD Abubakar and Solomon Arase and former Chief of Defence staff, General Alexander Ogomudia.

Others are former governors Ikedi Ohakim, Prof. Osaremen Osubor, former CJN, Justice Alfa Belgore, Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Maurice Iwu, Senator Solomon Ewuga, Senator Alasoadura, Dr. Okauro, DG, Governors Forum, Alhaji Idi Farouk, former DG NOA, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Chief Simon Okeke, and former Chairman Police Service Commission.

END