Decentralization of power key to solving Nigeria's problems - Akande

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A former interim national president of the Congress of All Progressives, Chief Bisi Akande, insisted on Thursday that decentralizing more powers to the states remained the only panacea to the rise of the insecurity, poverty and threats of secession afflicting Nigeria.< /p>

Akande said that Nigeria could only be brought back to the path of good governance if sub-nationals were given more powers to function like in the United States, a system of governance than Nigeria copied.

In a speech titled "Fasanmi, A Nigerian Patriot", Akande spoke in Ado-Ekiti during the presentation of a book titled "Serving with Integrity: Ideology and Practice of Senator Ayo Fasanmi in Nigerian Politics”, which was reviewed by former Federal University Vice Chancellor, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun.

The former governor of Osun State, represented by a former deputy state governor, Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, said: "The purpose of decentralization is generally to bring government of the people so that the problems of security, poverty and agitation for self-realization can be reduced or better managed. The logic is very simple.”

Clarifying his call for decentralization, the APC leader added, "Federated units or subsidiary units are usually the theater of action. That's where the land is, forests, farms, schools, hospitals, manufacturing industries and even roads and citizens, as well as daily economic and social activities.

"Take education, for example. What undertaking has the federal government embarked on in elementary and secondary education? These schools are located in the states and their local governments.< /p>

"The truth is that subsidiary units work best in Nigeria when they control their resources, security equipment in towns and forests, and all other activities in their space. this is why the various regional governments were able to accomplish a lot between 1954 and 1966, just in the space of 12 years!”

Akande's daughter, Dr Olufunmilayo Fasehun, who co-authored the book with her husband, Dr Orobola Fasehun, said it was designed to preach good governance in Nigeria , which was the most pressing priority for the late First Republic Senator Fasanmi.

Soremekun, who said that poor research in universities and incessant worker strikes were the two evils destroying the country's ivory towers, said: "Closing our universities does not speak not good for us as a country".

Soremekun said Fasanmi adopted selfless service as a civil servant because he had a second address as a pharmacist, saying, "Politicians without a second address are also very dangerous for governance."

The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary for General Administration, Mr. James Owolabi, described the late statesman as a strong and democratic democrat. unrepentant, who valued "integrity, honesty, selflessness and good leadership."

Dignitaries attending the event included Industry Minister Niyi Adebayo; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Iyiola Oladokun; Iye Ekiti's Oniye, Oba Jonathan Adeleye; the secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Bayo Aina; former Deputy Speaker of Osun State Assembly, Akintunde Adegboye; and the late Fasanmi's son, Judge Obafemi Fasanmi.