News
S’East, S’South Seek Restructuring, Fiscal Federalism
The coalition of critical stakeholders under the auspices of South-East South-South Network (SESSNet), has called for urgent restructuring of the country on the basis of fiscal federalism.
At its first one-day international conference held in Owerri, Imo State, recently, the group insisted that all elected officials from Abia, Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross-River and Delta, should urgently champion legislative measures to entrench fiscal federalism in line with constitutional requirements.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, the network resolved to forge an economic/social integration between the South-East and South-South states to hasten economic development within the region, focusing on and advancing specific areas of comparative advantage and interest.
The conference regretted that prolonged military interventions in the polity has stifled democratic development of the country, and therefore, urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency; seek avenues to return Nigeria to true federalism.
The delegates also resolved to champion a thorough amendment of the Nigerian Constitution to strengthen true federalism in which each region would exercise the right to self-determination, noting that over centralisation of the economic and political powers at the centre has over the years crippled the initiatives for growth and development by the federating units.
According to the conference, the amended Constitution will allow each of the federating units to draft its constitution that will outline its means of development within its own available resources and other logistics.
The delegates further resolved that each federating state should be allowed 100% control of her natural resource endowment, while royalty would be contributed to the Federal Government at the centre, adding that it will encourage states become creative, industrious and would actually deeply change our political system.
The conference canvassed a clear-cut approach by the Federal Government to separate all local government from the strong grips of the states as spelt out in the Nigerian Constitution, and noted that the muzzling of local authorities by state governments has deprived the local populace of democratic dividends.
Against this background, it stressed amendment of the constitution so that that security, primary education, water, development of infrastructure, healthcare delivery, trade and commerce, manpower development, among others, should be left to the states so as to promote development at the grassroots.
It also advocated that states should be granted the exclusive right to build railways, refineries, and generate their electricity, just as it argued that states should enjoy the right to issue licenses for exploration of mineral resources located within their territories with a workable agreement on sharing proceeds with the Federal Government.
The conference urged the Houses of Assembly in the South-East and South-South to liaise with the National Assembly in working out modalities for amending the Constitution to restructure and strengthen the federation, anchored on power devolution to the federating units.
The delegates advised the electorate in the two zones that only tested, and vision-driven individuals who imbibe the above principles will henceforth be allowed to taste leadership at all levels in the region, to encourage a new generation of young leaders to emerge at the elective positions in the zones and the centre.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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