Abeokuta club tasks Nigerian government on optimal benefits for citizens

A group of professionals under the aegis of Abeokuta Club has called on the Nigerian Government to devolve authority on Security, Land, Solid Minerals, Inland waterways, Agriculture and Education to regional units of the federation to enhance productivity, efficiency and optimal benefits to citizens.

Penpushing reports that made the call in a communiqué issued  and signed by its President, Engr Tokunbo Odebunmi at the end of  Sobo Sowemimo annual lecture titled “COVID – 19 and Nigeria Security Issues: The Way Forward’

The body  pointed out  that security, education, solid minerals and  land are closer to the people and should be left in the hands of authorities closer to them,stressing that, the federal government should concentrate more on Defence, Foreign Affairs, Aviation and Air-Space control, Marine boundaries, International Relations and International Trade.

Penpushing further reports that,  former President Olusegun Obasanjo was key speaker at the  virtual public lecture  held on Friday which was coordinated at the Club’s House, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

The club comprising eminent personalities recommended that the  Government should cede to the Regional units, matters such as Higher Education, Internal trade, Research and Development, Science, Technology and Innovation and other issues that would be better enhanced through regional structures.

Penpushing also reports that, the communiqué noted that regional governments should contribute certain percentage of their revenue to the Federal Government for maintenance of the National Government.

The communiqué emphasized the need by the government in promoting unity of the citizens in manners devoid of domineering spirit or tendencies, disregard or disrespect of any component and with observance of, and respect for the fundamental human rights.

“The Federal and State Governments should promote togetherness of the people of Nigeria that must be devoid of domineering spirit or tendencies, disregard or disrespect of any component and with observance of, and respect for fundamental human rights. The Federal and State Governments must keep things running selflessly, honestly and with utter dedication for the best for all and not for a few or a section;, the communiqué emphasised.

“Without a reform of our Federating Units structure, Nigeria will remain insecure, unstable, non- progressive and stagnated at best, or disintegrated at the worst. Since we do not wish nor pray for the disintegration of Nigeria, the time to act is now”, the communiqué added