… Says, poverty, corruption greatest enemies of Nigeria’s democracy

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has urged the Federal Government to listen to the agitations of the people, as regards rrestructuring of the country and create a true fiscal federalism which would enable Nigerians enjoy durable peace and stability.

Gowon noted that power has been over-concentrated at the centre and called for devolution of power to the federating units leaving the federal government with vital aspects like Defence, Foreign Affairs, etc.

He said the biggest enemy of democracy is poverty and called for massive job creation across board; to reduce  poverty.

This was also as he said poverty and corruption are the greatest enemies of the nation’s democracy.

Delivering a keynote address at the 2017 House of Justice Annual Summit at Murtala Square, Kaduna, with the theme ‘Building a Nation of Justice and Peace,’ General Gowon, who was represented by former minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, said Nigerians should resolve to live together in peace, through consultation, just as he called for a system of government that would eliminate corruption and indiscipline in Nigeria.

“The federal government should listen to the agitations of the people and arrive at a kind of structure that would enable Nigerians have stability and peace.

“There are important reasons to look at fiscal federalism, who gets what. It is becoming a conscientious issue that we cannot wish away, we need to take decisions in the interest of all Nigerians.

“We need good leadership, good governance to produce genuine development. Our democracy must produce good leaders to lead to good policy, good programmes and good development. We must ensure security and welfare of the people.

“If we are to build a nation of peace and justice, we must agree on object of tolerance. We need a system designed to eliminate corruption and indiscipline in all facets of our lives. We must cultivate integrity, rebuild trust, implore honesty, reward hard work, promote justice, create jobs, trust in younger generations. We must develop zero tolerance for corruption. We must eliminate poverty, the biggest enemy of democracy is poverty. We must generate jobs for the teeming youths so that poverty can be eliminated from the society.

“We must create a suitable federal system in a multicultural, multiethnic and multi religious country like Nigeria only federal system can work,” he said.

“The best form of cooperation to live together is federalism. Federalism thrives best in a multiplicity of units as we have in Nigeria.

Earlier, Chairman on the occasion, Dr. Usman Bugaje, said there is need to salvage the values of the society.