The Nigerian situation/story is one of differing interest which is ostensibly down to the nation’s numerous ethnic orientations- a factor that is sometimes viewed as the nation’s strength. But this has not been without some controversies as some persons- or should I rather say ethnic groups- see Nigeria’s formation has being replete with irregularities thus raising the proposition that the country’s foundation was set on ‘unworkable’ principles. And owing to this, there have been calls for restructuring from different quarters. This brings us to the purpose for which this write-up has been put forward: shedding some light on restructuring in Nigeria.
A brief review on the Nigerian situation
Although one might choose to go back to the root [i.e the merge of many nation states into one sovereign unit] as being the reason for our plight but one needs not forget that Nigeria was indeed thriving at some points in past- talk about moments when our educational system was something to be proud of; times when virtually every region saw a commendable level of development and the economy was really promising. If there is anything to draw out of these; it is the fact that Nigeria seemed to have it figured out to an extent irrespective of the ‘faulty’ foundation that some persons could have perceived [to have contributed to the present state of the nation. And its thriving then was a result of the functional policies that were put in place by the founding fathers; those policies were structured and/or centered on (around) the diversified populace. But then, things started to fall apart, and rather than improving on what we had on ground, we began to experience spates of dormancy and subsequently retrogression- that which was once seen as promising gradually began to take a descent into the doldrums of obscurity; the ‘giant’ suddenly becoming dwarfed by the many troubles/uncertainties that stifle its growth.
With all these came the imbalances which has thus far made the ‘abundance’ of the nation to tilt more towards a particular end; leaving the other end with a meagre- in relative terms.
It is in view of the foregoing [coupled with the agitations that have been brewing from certain sections] that the call for restructuring rend the air as top key personalities such as the Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and APC stalwart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some other people of renown are now championing the cause for a restructured Nigeria.
Amidst all these, one might be tempted to ask: what are those things that need restructuring?
Well, it is important to understand that the call for restructuring is crucial for practicing true federalism- a position whereby people-oriented policies are drawn based on regional sentiments/needs; a situation where the central government sheds off some weights and/or responsibilities off its shoulder in order to attend to some other core issues that will sustain the security and unity of the nation. Asides that, the modus operandi of many government parastatals should be looked over with the aim of making them more efficient and accountable.
If Nigeria must work again, then the order of the day has got to be challenged as we attempt to go back to the drawing board- not to start afresh but rather to take a cue from some of the policies that were formulated by our founding fathers and seek to improve on such in the best possible way as we seek to chart a course out of the ‘mire of oblivion’ that has thus far veiled our progress- Nigeria’s glory does not belong to the past.
I will like to end with the assertion made by Human Right Activist, Yinka Odumakin in one of the dailies which read: “A Nigeria EARNESTLY restructured is a Nigeria positively restored.”- Emphasis mine. For Nigeria to find her place again both on the local and international fronts, the bond of unity must be sustained, and this can only be actualized when there is a holistic and sincere- devoid of any hidden agenda- approach towards reviewing and objectively reforming the different systems/sectors that are meant to propel the nation’s development.