The Nigerian Army Resource Centre recently held a brainstorming session on Restructuring and Federalism in Nigeria. The one-day event with the theme “Restructuring and Federalism in Nigeria; A Critical Analysis” was organized by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre with a focus on political and socio-economic challenges that led to the current national agitations and clamour for restructuring of the Nigerian Federation.
It was aimed at critically analyzing the foundation of the Nigerian state, its leadership problematic consequences and predictable future with a view to finding lasting solutions to the overwhelming political tensions and socio-economic challenges.
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In his address, the Director General Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Maj Gen Johnny Hamakim (rtd), stated that the clamour for restructuring of the Nigerian Federation has become a recurrent decimal since Nigeria’s return to democratic system of government in May 1999. “You may recall that, the clamour for restructuring also informed the holding of the 2014 National Political Reform Conference, thus one of the Conference’s high point agenda was restructuring of the Nigerian Federation”. He said politicians, academics, ethno-regional groups and individuals have expressed their views and opinions on the desirability or not of restructuring of the Nigerian Federation.
Gen Hamakim expressed that as legitimate as the clamour is, it has become worrisome against the backdrop of the emergence of separatist ethno-regional groups across the country. “It is worrisome because some of the agitators have resorted to the use of threatening languages while canvassing for the restructuring agenda”, he said.
He further added that the growing outburst of hate speeches by these groups using print, electronic and social media platforms all in the pursuit of the restructuring agenda informed the decision by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to create a forum for genuine national conversation on Restructuring of the Nigerian Federation in line with its mission statement “To provide research-based solutions to defence and security problems”.
It is pertinent to note that the views of the erudite scholars and participants who spoke at the event were all focused towards harnessing the multifaceted perspectives on the subject as well as articulating realistic strategies and implementable solutions that would accommodate divergent national interests with the overall goal of achieving a virile, just and united Nigeria.
Amongst the notable dignitaries that graced the occasion were the Distinguished Senator Ben-Muray Bruce and Member Board of Trustees NARC, Prof OBC Nwolise, Prof SI Zalanga, Prof JI Elaigwu, representative of the Vice Chancellor University of Abuja, Prof Fanana Otaki amongst other senior officers and participants.
