From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has described restructuring as the solution to the problem of marginalisation in the country.
Abubakar, who spoke yesterday while delivering the fourth lecture series of Senior Staff Club of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with the theme: “Restructuring Nigeria”, said restructuring would make states or region to be creative and tap the resources in their area without waiting for crude oil money
“Let us not be afraid of states controlling their resources since every state has one resources or the other as they will pay tax to the federal; restructuring will make states to harness resources in their area.
“With restructuring, sates would be allowed to create LGAs they can manage based on the resources available,” he said. The Turaki Adamawa who said he started advocating for restructuring since 2006, when he was the vice president, added: “Restructuring offers a brighter future for this country, as it will take away power from few elite to Nigerians. Restructuring will guarantee equity and justice in the control and management of people’s resources.”
Abubakar said sharing of oil money had made the country’s leaders not to give diversifying of economy the required attention it deserved.
“What we have forgotten is that the era of oil economy is gradually phasing out as major investment in world economy is on alternative energy. For instance, the government of France said selling of oil in the country will be illegal in 2040,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the UNN senior staff Club for finding him worthy to deliver the lecture
In a remark, Chief Nnia Nwodo, president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, who was chairman of the occasion, said restructuring would enable people to negotiate on how to live as Nigerians. “Restructure will help the country move forward as it will make people to be creative and manage resources in their area judiciously. I commend staff Club for inviting Atiku, who has for along time been advocating for restructuring of the country because of the gains in it, “ he said.
The VC of UNN, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, who was represented by deputy vice -chancellor, Administration, Prof Charles Lowe, thanked the former president for coming as well as choosing a topic that is current and of vital importance to the country now.
Earlier in a remark, the President of UNN Senior Staff Club, Prof Anselm Onyimonyi, said the club with about 400 professors deemed it necessary to invite the former VP who had been one of those who believed in restructuring to move the country forward.