By Editor
In a compelling address to the Arewa Consultative Forum, President Bola Tinubu urged Nigerian governors to prioritize the empowerment and functionality of the country’s 774 local government councils. His speech highlighted the critical role local governments play in delivering services to communities, coordinating development programs, and ultimately improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
A Vision for Effective Local Governance
President Tinubu began by emphasizing the importance of effective local governance in a constitutional democracy. “We are running a constitutional democracy. I will appeal to you to summon the governors,” Tinubu stated, urging the forum to push for greater accountability and functionality at the local level. He stressed that enhancing the revenue base of the country is a shared responsibility, requiring sympathetic and urgent consideration of local needs.
“People reside in the local communities. That is where they work, farm, and live. If the local governments are not effective in delivering services; as leaders, we must not hang on to the numbers,” Tinubu asserted. His remarks called for a reevaluation of the effectiveness of local governments in addressing the problems faced by Nigerians and coordinating development efforts with state and federal governments.
Addressing Core Issues: Education and Infrastructure
The President highlighted the pressing issue of out-of-school children, labelling it unacceptable. “Education is a tool against poverty, and that is what brought many of us here. We must use our education to serve the people and improve their conditions,” he said. Tinubu underscored the need for a robust educational system as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and pledged intensive collaboration to address this challenge.
Turning to infrastructure, Tinubu decried the current state of decay and the pervasive poverty in the northern regions. “We are still building Nigeria, and I am glad that you have emphasized the need for development. The infrastructure decay is unacceptable, and the level of poverty in the north is unacceptable. We must eliminate the source of these trends,” he declared. The President highlighted key projects such as the AKK project and the dredging of the River Niger, which aim to enhance port access and reduce travel time, thereby boosting national prosperity.
Security and Economic Development
Security remains a paramount concern for President Tinubu, who promised significant investments in technology to ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens. “Everybody wants to be secure, and we need to invest more in technology. We will do it, I promise you. We will put our heart and soul into ensuring that Nigeria is secure and its citizens are protected,” he vowed.
The President also addressed the long-standing issue of animal husbandry, highlighting its potential to significantly grow the economy. “Animal husbandry has been a huge problem for Nigeria. Dairy farms can grow our economy significantly,” he noted. Tinubu called for greater collaboration between herders and state governments to make more land available for this purpose, drawing comparisons to successful models in Brazil and the Netherlands.
A Call for Unity and Action
Throughout his address, President Tinubu emphasized the strength and opportunity inherent in Nigeria’s diversity. “As long as we are together, and we have to be together, there is strength in our diversity. Our strength and opportunity are built into our population,” he remarked. He expressed gratitude to his cabinet members for their efforts but issued a stern warning that he would not hesitate to relieve any of their duties if they failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
To ensure the issues raised during the meeting are addressed promptly, Tinubu directed the establishment of a committee led by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. “We must tick the boxes on all that we must quickly do,” Tinubu concluded, signalling a proactive approach to tackling the nation’s challenges.
Empowering Local Governments: A Path to National Prosperity
President Tinubu’s call to the Arewa Consultative Forum and Nigerian governors is a clarion call for transformative change at the grassroots level. By empowering local governments, enhancing education, improving infrastructure, and ensuring security, Tinubu envisions a more prosperous and united Nigeria. While Tinubu’s emphasis on accountability and swift action may underscore his commitment to addressing the nation’s most pressing issues, this cannot be achieved without first examining the Five-Point Proposition for the Reconfiguration of the Federation or Union of Nigeria, which was put forward by the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-determination (NINAS) in a Union Dispute/Constitutional Force Majeure Declaration on December 16, 2020.
NINAS’ Five-Point Proposition for Union Reconfiguration
The NINAS Five-Point Proposition for the Union Reconfiguration of Nigeria are summarized below:
- Acknowledgment of the Constitutional Grievances raised in Sovereignty Dispute Declared by way of the NINAS Constitutional Force Majeure Proclamation of December 16, 2020.
- Express Commitment to Decommission the Imposed, Fraudulent and Unitary 1999 Constitution.
- Express Commitment to Suspend Further National Elections under 1999 Constitution. (The Untenable outcome of the 2023 Presidential Election must now be Transformed into an Immediate Transitioning for Reworking the Damaged Constitutional Basis of Nigeria).
- Constituent Peoples of Nigeria to work out the Modalities for Transitioning.
- Announcement of a time-bound 2-Stage Transitioning commenced with Regional Referendums for Constituent Components to Recommit To or Opt Out of the Nigeria Union; then distillation of Terms of Union at Stage-2 depending on outcome of the Referendums.
