The event, which provided another opportunity for stakeholders in the Nigerian project to examine the burning issue of restructuring, was well attended by journalists, media managers, government functionaries, representatives of corporate organisations, companies and other institutions.
In his welcome address, the Publisher of News Express newspaper, Mr. Isaac Umunna, expressed his appreciation to people who attended the event and informed them that his paper was known for breaking news, global updates, coverage of business and economy as well as sports and entertainment.
Mr. Umunna also spoke about the selling points of his newspaper, saying “News Express is a clean paper, the favourite of decision-makers. We do not publish junk, we don’t publish nude pictures, and we don’t publish dead bodies. These are things that some other newspapers feast on to get traffic, but not News Express. We are thus a paper for everybody, both young and old.”
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Goddy Uwazurike, President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga and lawyer, who superintended the event commended the management of News Express for its factual approach to issues in the country and urged them to continue with the good work of adding value to the media industry and the Nigerian society.
Mr. Uwazurike also spoke glowingly about the contributions of Nigerian journalists to the development of the country and urged them not to relent in the selfless service they have rendered to the unity and survival of the country.
In an address titled “Which way Nigeria,” he, however, condemned federal government’s attitude towards court orders and its consistent failure to obey them, saying such acts of disobedience could jeapardise the integrity of the judiciary in the country. “Today, some people have been granted bail but the honourable Attorney-General of the Federation has declared that it is not all orders of the court that this government will obey…”
Gov. Bello who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Jibrin Baba Ndace, joined other Nigerians in the forefront of advocacy for restructuring to suggest that efforts in that direction should be geared towards a more peaceful, viable, prosperous and united Nigeria.
Speaking on the theme “National Unity and the demand for Re-structuring – A Governors perspective,” the governor said he agreed to speak on the on-going debate on restructuring because of the critical role Niger state has played in the evolution of modern Nigeria and insisted that Nigeria would be better off as one united, indivisible country.
“The amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 took place in Niger state. Indeed, the name Nigeria was coined from “Niger Area” by Mary Shaw. Niger state is, therefore, a precursor to modern Nigeria.”
“We may have challenges as a nation, but we are certainly better off as one united, strong, virile, just and prosperous nation. Therefore, in interrogating the structure of Nigeria, we must put Nigeria first.”
Governor Sani Bello noted that there was no perfect federalism or democracy and urged all stakeholders to discuss burning issues in the atmosphere of tolerance, respect for human dignity and with the aim of deepening democracy and building a more united country that caters for all citizens.
“I urge all advocates of restructuring to do so in atmosphere of tolerance, respect for human dignity, understanding, and abiding faith in Nigeria. Perhaps, it not just want we discuss, but how we discuss it,” Governor Bello said.
Speaking also, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, explained that some people have created the erroneous impression that President Muhammadu Buhari, did not believe in restructuring, saying that devolution of power has been one of the issues contained in the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC). “A lot of people also say the president does not believe in restructuring. No! The APC has a manifesto and inside that manifesto is the devolution of powers,” Mr. Adesina said.
Justifying the rationale behind the setting up of committee by APC to look into the issue of restructuring, Mr. Adesina said “if you ask hundred people what restructuring is and you will get 100 answers. It shows that there is no unanimity on what restructuring really is,” adding “how then will you begin to work on restructuring when it has not been properly defined? No wonder the governing party, the APC set up a committee to go round the country to find out what the people know about restructuring and what they want to see in restructuring.”
“What some people would want is the entire thing in the manifesto being done in six months. It doesn’t work that way. The mandate is a four year mandate and the president has identified three things even from campaign. We will secure the country, we will fight corruption and then we will revive the economy. It is work in progress.
“Having gotten to the point where he can say we have made strides in these three areas, and then he looks at the manifesto and what next. Devolution of powers could be the next. But then, people that are agitating for restructuring, I may be wrong, but my feeling is that they have turned it into another tool of opposition.
“You know, restructuring comes with a lot of sabre-rattling. “Oh if you don’t restructure the country will die. If you don’t restructure, this will happen. It is a covert way of opposing the government of this country. That is why I think such people are not doing well. If you oppose the government of the day to the extent that you distract it, it is our country, what should be achieved would then not be achieved at the end of the term.
“Therefore, people who are sincere about restructuring and who want to see a tweaking in the configuration of our country, there is nothing wrong with it. But for people who have turned it into sabre-rattling, there something wrong,” Mr. Adesina said.
Another area that has been a source of worry to the Presidential spokesman who was a distinguished guest of honour at the event was what he described as fake news, he advised the general public to be wary of the type of information they were exposed to. “People love to either purvey fake news or twist what has been said. I have suffered a lot from those people who twist information.
“I granted an interview in New York and I just made a reference. I said some people are so critical that even if they get to heaven by mistake, they will criticize God. That was what I said.
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“And then somebody went to put it online. “Femi Adesina says critics of Buhari are criticizing God.” So many began to abuse me and I was just laughing. Then one lawyer that I know commented on that piece. He said “oh, Femi Adesina is supposed to be a pastor. Now he has elevated Buhari to the level of God.
“I now commented and said have you bothered to read the original? Some minutes later he came online and said “My apologies. I have gone to read the original thing and Femi Adesina did not say it. It is the bloggers who have twisted it.”
“And that is what is happening all over. It is a challenge for us in the media, particularly the online media. You find a lot of twisting all over the place. The intention is to cause disharmony in the country. Closely linked to fake news is hate news, meant to cause discord and throw society into upheaval. We need to watch out for things like that. Those behind them don’t mean well for Nigeria,” Mr. Adesina said.
Also, Mr. Emmanul Jime, Managing Director, NEPZA, described the theme of the lecture as apt, saying it would go a long way to contribute to the nagging issue of restructuring even as he chose to remain neutral “as the areas to be restructured are yet to be defined.”
Mr. Jime who preferred to focus his comments on the corporate governance of restructuring and its salutary effect on national unity, said that merit has no tribal marks and excellence has no religious toga and advised every leader to begin to do things right “If every leader begins to do things right or do the right thing, the right way, we will begin to make positive impact in every Nigerian village, community or zone. This, to me, is restructuring and we do not need to carry placards or hold press conferences either. We just need to restructure our minds and attitude.”
Speaking also, Mr.. Kudo Eresia-Eke, General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG Limited, while commending the organisers of the event for the choice of the theme, said the most unifying factor was making the lives of Nigerians better and generally improving the standard of living.
Mr. Eresia-Eke maintained that the company has been in the forefront of building a better Nigeria through its various Corporate Social Responsibility projects, which are focused “on the foundational structures that can improve the quality of lives of our people in the community and in the country.”