True Federalism, critical to National Development -Ogun Speaker

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi says, the practice of true federalism will accelerate regional development and enhance rapid growth of every parts of the nation through promotion of healthy rivalry among various regions.

          Adekunbi, who disclosed this while receiving members of the Yoruba Koya Leadership and Training Foundation, led by Senator Femi Okunrounmu, explained that the clamour for true federalism through restructuring by the Yoruba elders has no tribal connotation or aimed at bringing about division in the nation.

          Commending the group for promoting an egalitarian society through nation building, the Speaker said that the Assembly would ensure holistic consideration of the proposed bill presented to it by the group for the betterment of the nation.

          Adekunbi recalled that the Assembly unanimously supported devolution of power during the third and forth 1999 Constitutional amendment, saying that the nation witnessed tremendous development during the era of regional government, which remained a point of reference for the Yoruba nation.

          Earlier in their separate remarks, Senators Okunrounmu, Tokunbo Okubanjo from Ogun Central and Ogun East Senatorial Districts, as well as the Convener, Otunba Deji Osibogun, opined that the visit was to sensitize the lawmakers on the need to restructure Nigeria’s political, economic and social structures for the sake of  generations yet unborn.

          They advocated the need for regions to be autonomous, with each of the federating units given opportunity to control its resources, for socio-economic advancement, stating that the step would address the issues of inequality, federal character and distribution of national resources.

          Senator Okunrounmu had earlier presented to the Speaker, a document on restructuring and a proposed amendment for the nation’s constitution,