The North Central stakeholders of the Lux Terra Zonal Dialogue Initiative have restated the essence of good leadership, equity, justice and fairness as the panacea to the numerous challenges facing the country.
The event, which was organised by the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation in partnership with the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy and Development, was held at the event hall of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Abuja on Tuesday June 8, 2021. The event had in attendance four elected delegates each from Benue, Nassarawa, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and Plateau states.
Eminent Nigerians from the six states of the north central geo-political zone took out time to talk on why peace has eluded us a people and also pointed the way forward for the country.
Cardinal John Onaieykan spoke on the loss of thrust among Nigerians even as he said democracy is becoming a dictatorship of the elected, adding that government should allow us to talk or cry when necessary because we are not slaves under the leadership of monarchs.
He advised on the need for us to strive, if need be negotiate to stay together, and not leave the country to non-state actors.
Professor Olugbemiro Jegede on his part said though geopolitical zones were created to bring governance closer to the governed, it is still far from them, adding that every security challenge is an indication of government’s failure.
He said people will only feel safe when basic ingredients like Justice, fairness, equity, peace and oneness thrive, while rethinking Nigeria is a task that must be done.
Chief Audu Ogbe traced Nigeria’s problem to the the unitary government of Aguyi Ironsi which effectively ended the regions of the first Republic and Structural Adjustment Programme of the Babangida era which gradually eroded the the preeminent position of the Naira.
He compared Nigeria and India which have the same features but differ markedly in development and growth. He said the focus on politics rather than the economy detracted than increased our GDP. He therefore emphasised on the economy taking the centre-stage before the country can come out of the woods.
The session is the culmination of Lux Terra’s dialogue initiative with each of the states in the North Central zone, which began in April 2021.
Among the eminent Nigerians present at the event were John Cardinal Onayiekan Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum and former Minister of Agriculture, Mr Labaran Maku, former Minister of Information, and Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria and former Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Mrs Eugenia Abu, former Executive Director at the Nigerian Television Authority, Ene Ede, Women’s Right Activist, Barr Hussaini Abdulrahman an Industrialist, and Hajara Yakubu Wanka, member of the Front for National Rebirth.
In his welcome remarks Rev Fr George Ehusani, Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, lamented the current state of the Nigerian nation, characterised by failed governance, gross injustice and inequity, mutual acrimony and distrust, widespread insecurity and socio-economic dislocation, which have now given rise to the demand for self determination by segments of the polity.
Fr Ehusani lamented Nigeria’s current slide towards state collapse. While expressing his conviction that all hope was not lost and that Nigeria is still redeemable, Ehusani called for intensive dialogue among all Nigerian stakeholders in order to save the sinking ship.
In their separate remarks John Cardinal Onayiekan, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Mr Labaran Maku and Hussaini Abdulrahman, called for justice, fairness, equity and inclusiveness as a panacea for peace, unity, security and prosperity for Nigeria and Nigerians. They also commended the patriotism and commitment of the delegates from the six states of the North Central geo-political zone who have converged on Abuja for the two day Dialogue Conference.