October 27, (THEWILL) – Forum of former Deputy Governors in Nigeria have blamed the military for defiling the federal structure conceived by the founding fathers of the country with their long years of clueless rule.
Comprising of all former deputy governors across the 36 states of the federation, the forum appealed to the federal government to tackle myriads of challenges facing the nation by using global realities to achieve peace and unity needed for growth and development in the country.
The forum’s position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a One Day National conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, with the theme, “Nation Building In Challenging Times.”
It, however, listed avalanche of challenges facing Nigeria such as weak Democratic institutions, personalisation of state power, widespread insecurity, rising debt profile, poor administration of election, polarisation of Nigeria polity and unstable foreign policy.
Endorsed by the Forum Chairman, Dr Chris Akomas and Dr Lazarus Yariyo, National President and Secretary of the forum respectively, the communiqué stated that the phenomenon of military regime that installed a command structure which defiled Nigeria’s federation installed from 1954, even as it was void of detribalised and patriotic leadership.
“Weak democratic institutions.
Personalisation of state power.
Widespread insecurity, which has greatly undermined Nigeria’s productivity.
“Rapid population growth and high infant mortality.
Rising debt profile.
Poor Administration of Elections.
Polarisation of the Nigerian polity which has undermined National cohesion.”
The forum also cited unstable foreign policy as another challenge that confronts the nation and retards the pace of development.
It stated that resource persons at the conference proffered strategies which could solve some of the challenges and move the nation forward.
“The strategies for overcoming the challenges as given by the presenters include, Promoting consciousness about core National values such as discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance and diversity.
“Promoting a culture of good governance, accountability and politics of development.
Appointing security chiefs and administrators based on competence and capacity.
Adequate funding of education and health for human capital development.”
It, therefore, urged the federal government to consider the former Deputy Governors Forum as a critical platform of quality managers of human and material resources that must not be allowed to derail, as effort must be sustained to reposition it to offer greater contributions to the quest for nation building.
