In recent times, there have been renewed calls for a restructuring of the country in order that it may be a true federation. I cannot but concur. The federal structure, that we have practiced over the years, has not been truly federal and it has only succeeded in making the so-called federating units to be dependent on the centre that doles out money accruing mainly from the sale of oil rather than encouraging the units to develop their potentials. How long would we allow this continue? I believe that we have no justifiable reason to be in the state of recession that we have found ourselves. It is very shameful that despite all the gifts that nature has graciously bestowed on us, we are still being categorised amongst the poor countries of the world.
It is most unfortunate that our Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education churn out millions of highly skilled youths each year only for most of them to end up as Okada riders and street hawkers. Is it not shameful that over twenty states have been unable to pay their workers salaries for months now? How long will this continue? This is the time to tell ourselves the gospel truth by calling a spade a spade. Let us look beyond partisan politics and do the needful by restructuring this country ‘on the path of true federalism, so that each of the federating units can develop at its own pace, unencumbered.
• Most. Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
