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Elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae has said the future of the country rests on the implementation of the 2014 confab report.
The elder statesman stated this on Thursday during the meeting of the Conscience of Yoruba Race, in Ibadan.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the event was themed “Restructuring Nigeria: Options and Strategies.
Falae emphasised that although there could be other options to restructuring, the future of Nigeria rested on the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference.
The statesman said, “What we have come to discuss is a big subject in Nigeria. Not long ago, the acting President, who is my friend, said it (restructuring) was a non-issue and that the report of the National Conference had not been read. But that subject has become topical and like I said in my recent interview, the restructuring of Nigeria via the report of the National Conference is the future of Nigeria.
“The options for restructuring are many. We went to Abuja for a regional agenda but on getting there, the ‘Middle Belters’ were scared of it but I am happy that in recent time, they are at the forefront. I called my friend, Jerry Gana, (and asked him) what had happened, he said they had had a change of mind. Change must come but not the partisan change that has no meaning.
“Massive devolution of powers, responsibilities and resources must take place from the centre to the federating units. I want to add that the devolution will not stop at the old regional capitals of power. It must continue to the states created in the regions and the local government which is where our people reside.”
Administrator of the group, Akogun Omololu, said in his opening remark that what was going on in the country called for the Yoruba race to mobilise intelligence and ensure social justice for its people.
He said that the time had come to fashion out the ways to implement the resolutions reached at the 2014 National Conference where all groups were represented.
He said, “Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said, ‘Nigeria’s problem is that we fight against the effects and not against the problem’. The bane of Nigeria is the Decree 4 of 1966, enacted by the first military regime headed by the late General Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi.
“Today, there is a song in some quarters that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable. Even the British High Commissioner to Nigeria echoed this line a short while ago. But we say to all those who sing this song that they are wrong. In 2014, Nigerians had negotiated the country’s unity and reached some kind of agreement. At the 2014 National Conference, 607 resolutions were passed without acrimony. Now is the time to implement the resolutions.”
Among those present at the event were former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Dr Akin Onigbinde; Senator Ayo Arise, Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Communications and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka; and Dr Olu Agunloye.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the 2014 national conference was convened by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to proffer long lasting solutions to the myriads of challenges bedeviling the nation.