Tuesday 31st May, 2016.

Protocol

When I was invited to Chair this occasion, I immediately understood that the title of the bookis a metaphor for the legitimate feelings of marginalization by diverse segments of Nigeriansthat cut across the country. Agitations by many right thinking Nigerians call for a restructuring and renewal of our federation to make it less centralized, less suffocating and less dictatorial in the affairs of our country’s constituent units and localities.

As some of you may know, I have for a long time advocated the need to restructure our federation. Our current structure and the practices it has encouraged have been a major impediment tothe economic and political development of our country. In short it has not served Nigeria well, and at the risk of reproach it has not served my part of the country, the North, well.

The call for restructuring is even more relevant today in light of the governance and economic challenges facing us. And the rising tide of agitations, some militant and violent, require a reset in our relationships as a united nation.

Some may say that we are saddled with more urgent challenges, including rebuilding our battered economy, creating jobs, fighting corruption and securing our people from terrorism and other forms of serious crimes. I believe, however, that addressing the flaws in our federation will helpus address some of those very economic and security challenges facing this country.

Nigeria must remain a united country. Our potentials are enormous. But I also believe that a united country, which I think most Nigerians desire, should never be taken for granted or taken as evidence that Nigerians are content with the current structure of the federation. Making that mistake might set us on the path of losing the country we love or, as ChidoOnumah puts it, result in our “country sleepwalking to disaster.”

Let me quickly acknowledge that no federal system is set for all time. There are always tensions arising from matters relating to the sharing of power, resources and responsibilities. But established democracies have developed peaceful mechanisms for resolving such conflicts among the tiers of government.They recognize that negotiations and compromises are eternal.

How We Got Here: Oil Economy, Centralization and Biafranization

The vast majority of Nigeria's young population will be forgiven for thinking that our lives have always revolved around oil and that the federal government has always been this domineering and controlling. They may not be aware that the federal system which we inherited at independence allowed the regions to retain their autonomy to raise and retain revenues, promote development, and conduct their affairs as they saw fit, while engaging in healthy competition with others.

And they may not know that it was the emergence of military rule and the intervening civil war that led to the splintering and weakening of the federating units, centralization of resources and concentration of power at the federal level. The enormous revenues from oil rents encouraged the central government to play an increasingly domineering role in the economy and society. It assumed more responsibilities for infrastructure provisioning, education, social services and business investment.

We now know that the more resources the federal government has, the more responsibilities it tends to assume.This then generates the need for ever more resources. As Chairman of the National Council on Privatization from 1999 to 2007, in my capacity as the Vice President, I was shocked when I saw firsthand the manner of businesses our federal government was involved in. These included not just such capital-intensive industries as steel and petrochemicals but brick-making factories and bakeries as well. These enterprises hardly made any profit. Rather they were being subsidized by the budget.

As the government’s role continued to expand, the private sector was crowded out and private initiative, innovation and creativity suffered.

Excessive dependence on oil revenues led to the collapse of our agriculture-based economy. It also exposed the Nigerian economy to volatile market swings, booms and bursts. And it brought with it enormous social consequences such as wealth without labour, briefcase contractors and generations of youth accustomed to aspiring to be employed by others rather than thinking of creating jobs for themselves and others. It also led to the neglect of internally generated revenue, especially taxation.

Most of our state governments canno longer pay their workers’ wages until they collect monthly allocations from Abuja. Only Lagos State is currently able to generate up to 50% of its revenues internally, thereby reducing its dependence on allocations from Abuja. (And it is not because of the existence of many businesses in Lagos as some people like to point out. Businesses do not on their own send money to government).

As we became more dependent on oil revenues we became lazier, more complacent, and our leaders became ever more unaccountable.Amongthe most destructive impacts of our dependence on oil is, perhaps, the corruption that it has fostered in the oil industry and society at large.Some of you are familiar with published reportsthat highlight discrepancies and opacity in data relating to the allocation of oil blocsas well as NNPC’sabuse of its duty as steward of our federation revenues.

The result of all of this is that we have not made the needed investments in human capital development and the productive sectors of the economy. According to the Human Development Index, 70% of our population lives below the poverty line compared to 21.4% for Brazil, 40.5% for Angola and 0% for Norway, to mention a few comparable oil producing countries.

More critical is the distortion of our federal structure by our dependence on oil. We now have the ridiculous situation where the federal government creates local governments, enshrines them in the constitution and allocates resources directly to them, with people even calling for more autonomy from state governments.

Today virtually every section of our country feels marginalized – meaning they believe that other segments of society are prospering in ways they are not. We often interpret marginalization along regional, ethnic or religious lines, but experience has shown that this perception can exist even within homogenous communities due to uneven access to opportunity. For example we have communities feeling marginalized within their states or regions.

Having established the ‘federal character’ of marginalization in Nigeria, it is imperative that our response to the issues raised by our various ‘Biafras’ across the country is holistic.

I have long advocated for greater autonomy, powers and resources for our federating states. Some have retorted that state governors will abuse those powers and resources. Well the same logic applies to the federal level, which, as recent revelations show, is not without blemish. In fact the current situation encourages governors to abuse their power, do little to raise revenue and point fingers at the federal government, thereby making it more difficult for their people to hold them to account.

What do we Need?

First, a smaller, leaner federal government with reduced responsibilities. This means devolution of powers and resources to states and local governments. State and local governments should control education, health, agriculture, roads and other infrastructure. A true federal system will allow the federating states to keep their resources while the federal government retains the power of taxation and regulatory authority over standards.

The result will be a political and governmental system that empowers local authorities and gives them greater autonomy to address peculiar local issues, while enhancing accountability and contributing to the general good of the country. Such a robust federal system would reduce the tensions that are built into our current over-centralized system.

Second, autonomy for the component states and localities to determine their development priorities and wage structures. For instance, there is no reason for the governor of Akwa Ibom State to earn the same salary as the Governor of Benue State or for a teacher in Orlu to earn the same salary as the one in Abuja or Port Harcourt.The costs of living and revenue generating capacities vary widely across the country.

Third, a tax-centred revenue base. Modern democracies derive their revenues from taxation whether or not they have fossil fuels and other natural resources – personal income tax, property tax, sales tax, corporate tax, licences, and duties. Taxation is a sustainable revenue base and one that compels governments to promote increased economic activities, and respond to the demands of their tax paying citizens.

Fourth, enhanced, diversified economic activities and productivity in order to enlarge the tax base. The US, U.K., Canada, Malaysia, and UAE are all oil producers. But because they have diversified economies, oil does not dominate their government revenues and does not have the same distortionary effect it has on our own.

Let’s compare Malaysia with Nigeria. Both countries were at a comparable level of development at independence but now Malaysia’s GDP per capita is $11,000 while Nigeria's is $3,000. Malaysia has foreign reserves of $100 billion and a sovereign wealth fund of $41 billion. In Malaysia manufacturing accounts for 40% of GDP and the country is rated 14th most competitive economy in the world.

In Nigeria, however, manufacturing accounts for a mere 10% of GDP, and only 12% of the labour force. And Nigeria ranks 127th out of 144 in global competitiveness.Think about this for a moment: If the bulk of the revenues of our federal and state governments are dependent on the level of economic activities in the country, would we be shutting down the entire country or a state on election days, on census days and during environmental clean-up? I wish some of our researchers would calculate the resulting loss of productivity and incomes to individuals, families and the economy as a whole, and, therefore, potentially government revenues?

Fifth, an end to the indigene-settler dichotomy. A modern united Nigerian society can only be built on the basis of common citizenship for all based on residency in a state or locality rather than the local government or ethnic group one is born into.

Nigerians should be free to live, study and work anywhere in the country as long as they are law-abiding. We cannot claim to be promoting national unity while also promoting policies that tend to confine people to their places of birth.

Sixth, state police to augment the federal police (for the states that so desire). This will help us to improve security, including fighting terrorism.

Posting a police officer from Ganye to Eket may help promote culture sharing and integration, but it does little to prevent or fight crime. Crime is better fought by those who know the terrain and speak the local language.

Ladies and gentlemen, Nigeria is not working as well as it should and part of the reason is the way we have structured our country and governance, especially since the late 1960s. The federal government is too big, and too powerful relative to the federating states. That situation needs to change, and calling for that change is patriotic.

We must refrain from the habit of assuming that anyone calling for the restructuring of our federation is working for the breakup of the country. An excessively powerful centre does not equate with national unity. If anything,it has made our unity more fragile, our government more unstable and our country more unsafe. We must renegotiate our union in order to make it stronger.

Greater autonomy, power and resources for states and local authorities will give the federating units greater freedom and flexibility to address local issues, priorities and peculiarities. It will help to unleash our people’s creative energies and spur more development. It will reduce the premium placed on capturing power at the centre. It will help with improving security. It will promote healthy rivalries among the federating units and local authorities. It will help make us richer and stronger as a nation.

I commend the author, ChidoOnumah, for his efforts in putting his thought-provoking writings together in this book. I hope that the essays contained therein will help to stir and deepen the debates on our federal structure, governance and intergovernmental relations.

Hopefully those debates will help us effect the needed changes to make our country realize its full potentials in peace and greater harmony. This is an important way to prevent the birth and growth of more Biafras across our dear country.

Thank you.

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BizBloke:


Thanks, Segbe88.

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Barnabaseloka:

How far have you gone through the bible in your possession to check if what you are taught are truth or falsehood? I believe that no one will fully understand everything written in the bible before Christ comes. This is b/c no one can fully understand God. The more you study the bible, the more enlightened you get. So, stop arguing whether the bible the other christian holds is complete or not. Make do with the one you have got.

I do not argue with you. neither do I say the bible is complete or incomplete. The bible holds truth, misinterpretation of that truth is the problem. Inspiration from God and early Christian tradition can guide you on that truth. Early Christians wrote and compiled the scriptures, you have to be in the writer's mind to understand what is fully meant.

Understanding is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Good nyt and God bless

Barnabaseloka:

Do you believe that the Scriptures are complete and tells us everything we need to know about God? There were many events that took place in the world. But the Holy Spirit gave those that compiled the bible the inspiration to do so. They picked some and left some as the Holy Spirit led them. I say that the Scriptures serve as the reference point and foundation for any christian. Any other thing you hear or get must be checked with the truth in the Scriptures. This helps one to know when one is about to be deceived and going into falsehood. The Bible whether handed down to us by catholic church is complete and contains everything we need to know about God.
Deut.29:29 The secret things belong to the Lord, your God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law.
The ones compiled in the bible are the ones revealed to us to believe and hold on to, but not assumptions from men.

Who wrote the different scriptures and who compiled the bible.

Why where some dropped and some picked.

You believe in what you have, no doubt who dont question your faith. If you really question your faith, you will realise why Abraham's faith in God had noting to do with the bible.

Barnabaseloka:

I hope you believe that the bible is the reference point for any christian? Any other thing we hear or get must come under the scrutiny of the Scriptures. If I say a wrong thing, do you need to see my teachers in order to correct me? It is your duty to correct me instantly. So also if any christian hears another christian say anything that has no reference to the Scriptures, he/she should correct the erring one using the Scriptures in love. He does not need to get to the teachers of such erring christian to correct him/her.

There is nothing we have said that the scripture has disapproved, the problem is that you want to see it state categorically in the scripture.

Then I say, Its a free world

segbe88:


I have told you earlier all our knowledge does not come from the scripture, you can scroll up to check that.

I have asked you to research, you said because it is not in the scripture. When you research you will be amazed, but you dont want to go on that quest I guess.

Foundation you talk of, who laid that foundation for you, who brought the scriptures together. My brother, the word of God is clear, not all those read understand, understanding and wisdom is given to His people.

It is a pity you take the Mother of God to be with sin. The Mother of your God (Except Jesus is not your God).

Barnabaseloka:

Any scriptural backup to your claims? If we believe that the Scriptures are the ultimate and the foundation to our belief, why can't we back what we say using them?

I have told you earlier all our knowledge does not come from the scripture, you can scroll up to check that.

I have asked you to research, you said because it is not in the scripture. When you research you will be amazed, but you dont want to go on that quest I guess.

Foundation you talk of, who laid that foundation for you, who brought the scriptures together. My brother, the word of God is clear, not all those read understand, understanding and wisdom is given to His people.

HopeAlive14:


There is so much confusion in the christendom today due to strange doctrines.

Jesus speaking in Mark 7:13 "And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others."(NIV)

Any doctrine or tradition that is not based on Scripture, no matter how good it appears or sounds is unprofitable and should be discarded.

The ones in the scriptures that were discarded by the King James Bible version have you reviewed it or asked why a bible portion should be discarded.

The complete scriptures, do you think you can carry it about as a pocket bible. The scriptures that were written after the death of Christ why should we uphold them as scriptures.

We uphold them so because the come from inspired saints. Do you have a yardstick to judge a Godly inspired work.

Have you not read about way of life of the early Christains, that is the tradition we talk of. Research deep into the lives of the early Christian and judge for yourself if you are on that path

Barnabaseloka:

Yes you are right. The favour came as a gift (Jesus). We also know that there are gifts that come from the Holy Spirit, given to believers. But, how did God prepare her for that purpose?

To be without sin

MsFaith:


Ok. So what is the light shown here? Cus I can't see any only arguments

Exactly my point, If Barnabaseloka feels the catholic church is teaching the wrong thing because he does not see a reference in the bible he should at least confront the teachers and tell them these are his reasons for thinking so, hear their thought before countering them.

You can not tag a teaching as wrong when you do not know where it is coming from or simply because you only know yours. The bible in itself is written in different context, understanding a passage or text goes with understanding the context its being used. is only trying to refute ur points without evening trying to understand your points.

Barnabaseloka:

it was not a gift, but a privilege and favour done to her. Stop attaching unnecessary meaning to what the Scriptures did not say. When we want to talk about gifts from the Holy Spirit, it is anothe r thing altogether.

A gift or a present is an item given to someone without the expectation of payment.

A favour give someone something out of good will, generoousity of kindness.


Please I dont know how you want to put it, the favour came or gift came from God. She became mother of God. God prepared her for that purpose.

MsFaith:


And so if you know God will judge only individuals under these organisations, why don't you leave them and let God be their JUDGE ?

Why are you judging them already on behalf of God?

The purpose of religion is to direct one to God.

True religion directs one to the one and only true God.

good religion directs one to the one and only good God.

Its a light to shine and guide people, If one is i guided or taught the wrong thing God will also judge the teachers for misleading, how if one decides not to follow the light shown to him/her, God will be their judge not human.

Barnabaseloka:

What are you driving at? We are talking about Mary and the Holy Spirit filling her so that she can conceive. Then when she believed in Jesus, she received the Holy Spirit as other believers did and still do today. So where does gift from the Holy Spirit come into this?

We are talking about the gift to be the Mother of God, a privilege given to her by God, to be blessed among women, is that not a divine gift?

Barnabaseloka:

Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit (overshadowing) so that Jesus would be implanted in her womb. Remember that the Holy Spirit had not been sent to dwell in humans permanently. He only came upon people and use them to achieve a task, and at the completion of such task, He left them. But during the pentecost was when the Holy Spirit was sent to live in children of God permanently. That was why Mary received the Holy Spirit during the time of pentecost.

Holy Spirit fills someone is the point. The purpose and gifts of the holy Spirit to that person is not for you to decide but for God. Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit so She can bear God. That was the mission of the Holy Spirit.

Assuming because everyone filled with the Holy Spirit is for same purpose, or same gift is not correct. Please understand the context of where the Holy Spirit filled someone. The gift the Holy Spirit decides to bestow is His doing not human thought.

Barnabaseloka:

Was Mary not filled with the Holy Spirit together with other believers? What made her different from other believers?

Was that when the bible first said she was filled by the holy spirit?

Barnabaseloka:

Ok. John 1:12 But as man as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. He still gives the power to anyone who believes in Him today.

With this statement I presume you want to compare any one filled with the holy spirit to be equal to the Mother of God. Let us not try to mix context.

If you are trying to say so, I have no discussion with you.

Barnabaseloka:

I do not need researching anything so long as you have no scriptural backing to your claims. This is how we believe what we cannot explain with the bible in the name of mystery. Give me one passage from the scripture that said that Mary was made sinless to give birth to Jesus.
Rom.3:23 For ALL (no exemption) has sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Anyone who is not in Christ remains a sinner. This is the scriptural truth and not what men think.

The catholic church does not base all its knowledge in the scriptures. THe bible you read and uphold today was compiled and given to you by the catholic church. Some books were dropped and some accepted. We base part of our knowledge on inspiration from God and tradition.

If you believe only in the thing written in the bible you are free. Remember the passage in the bible that says not all that happened was written. You want a biblical backing, the one that have been provided so far which have you affirmed as thruth.

All generations shall call her blessed, how many times have you called her blessed. How manytimes have you acclaimed her as full of grace. How many times have you acknowledge Her as blessed amongst women. DO that which you have first seen, if you do not want to do it, do not try to stop others doing so.

Barnabaseloka:

The Holy Spirit has not been poured upon all flesh at of the time of the birth of Jesus. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary to do the work of implanting Jesus into the womb.

I did not say that Mary was filled by the Holy Spirit to be cleansed. Go back and read my post. I said that when the Holy Spirit came upon the people, Mary also received the Holy Spirit.

Sorry If I misunderstood you, but I referred to this statement:

"Mary believed in Jesus, and even received the Holy Spirit. That made her to be a child of God and freed her from the power of sin."


as that made her sin free and a child of God.


Kind regards

Barnabaseloka:

Yes, Jesus has the power to forgive sin when He was on earth. When He died and resurrected, sins of men are NOW forgiven them ONLY if they come to Christ. Outside Christ, such a person remains under the power of sin and is still a sinner. I hope uou don't want to make us believe that Mary was made sinless by God b/c she was about carring Jesus in her womb? If it is what you want to make us believe, give scriptural backing.

I dont want to make you believe Mary was made sinless.


I simply want to tell you Mary was made sinless to carry my God. A mystery beyond your imagination.


If you want to research articles on this, the catholic church has many articles on it online.


If you want understand that with human reason you are welcome.


I know, Mary the mother of God was conceived without sin simply because God desired it so.


Kind regards

Barnabaseloka:

Rom 3:23 For ALL (no exception) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2Corinth:5:17 Therefore if ANYONE is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.
It is ony in Christ Jesus that one becomes a new being (born again). Aside being in Christ, such a person is still under the power of sin and remains a sinner.

Mary believed in Jesus, and even received the Holy Spirit. That made her to be a child of God and freed her from the power of sin. At the point of believing in Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, she was made a new creation, not b/c she was about to give birth to Jesus.

Please Mary was foretold and prepared for her mission. She served in the temple. She appeared ordinary, but was the chosen one. Remember the Angel reported God found favour in her and she was blessed among all women... ALL women.

Mary's was filled with the Holy spirit and bore a son. Refer to your bible, Mary was filled with the Holy spirit to conceive. You said she was filled by the Holy spirit to be cleanse. Please read the scriptures well to confirm that.


Like I said, an article of faith, let us pray for guidance and only say what is in the bible not otherwise. Take your selves forward to the book of revelation and confirm where only the children of a woman would be saved. Please provide a woman who can fill that position if not the mother of God.

Kind regards

HopeAlive14:


(1) The ONLY SINLESS Person ever to be on this Earth is Jesus Christ! Mary was not "made pure and sinless", she was favoured by God to carry Jesus!

(2) "Jesus became man when he was born". This means that Mary gave birth to the "man Jesus"

(3) You cannot deny Mary being the "mother of God". Since Jesus is God, this means that Mary is the mother of Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Ghost)

Like I said, its an article of faith.

Pray your thoughts are guided.

First the Trinity of God is a mystery beyond human imagination. If you want to understand it completely with your human brain, carry on. Mary is the Mother of God, That is fact. Understanding who God is another topic. Denying the Mother of God because you do not completely understand the mystery of three persons in one God is not proper.

Second I said Jesus was always God but not always man, that means Mary gave birth the Jesus as a God and as a man. Understanding how somebody can be God and man at same time should be your question.

Thirdly, God has the power to forgive sins and even the ones our forefathers committed whenever, whoever and wherever. Remember when the Pharisee were amazed at the power of Jesus to heal and even cleanse sin. Doubting the power and ominiscience of God is a big mistake. God can do all things. His ways are not ours.

The story of Jesus birth was foretold remember.

HopeAlive14:


And this is a Scriptural truth that so many people are not willing to accept!

For those who believe Jesus is God.

God is same yesterday, today and forever. His ways never changes, he remains the same. Whatever and whoever he chooses, is His decision.

First God cannot be born my a sinful man. We inherit original sin from birth until our baptism. God did not inherit original sin from birth like us, for this purpose He made His Mother pure and and sinless so that He can dwell in Her.

Was Jesus was not always man, He became man, when he was born. But Jesus was always God, He had already existed before time began.

You cannot deny Mary being the Mother of God and accept Jesus as always being God. Unless you have a different meaning of mother.

This is an article of faith.

Awake and hopeful.

Oluwa noni.