The former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Major General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd.), advocates for restructuring of the nation, state policing and independence of the judiciary in Nigeria.
Major Nwachukwu made this call on Tuesday at the 14Th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Annual Lecture 2025 organized by the Board of Youth Affairs International Foundation at the International Conference Centre , Enugu; theme: “The Imperative of Good Governance: Nigeria in a Global Comparative perspective.”
Major Nwachukwu, Chairman of the occasion, said, “I have long been advocating for the restructuring of Nigeria to become a proper federation, allowing State autonomy and bringing governance closer to the people. This also allows access to the mineral, natural, and human resources for their development.”
He further states, “I stand for respect for the Rule of Law, the need for a forthright and independent Judiciary, a more effective, responsive military, police and intelligence services.”
“I also stand for creating State Police and local policing for our communities. And above all, a school system that allows relevant human resource development,” Nwachukwu stated.
“Through our shared commitment and collaborative efforts, we can envisage and actualize a Nigeria where leadership is not a position of privilege but a mandate of service.
“Together, we can chart a course towards a future where governance is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people,” Gen Nwachukwu said.
In his Keynote address, the Guest Speaker and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari also called for a radical restructuring of the Nigerian federal arrangement to devolve power to the people, rejiging of the leadership recruitment process, the state as a guarantor of security, attention to constitutionalism, among others.
Meanwhile, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, called for constitutional review.
“I have consistently advocated for a new democratic constitution for Nigeria, which addresses our plurality. This country was more peaceful and was developing faster in the first six years of our independence because it had a genuine federal constitution, which allowed the four regions to take care of their regional development, their social amenities, education, health, and internal security,” the 92-year-old statesman said.
Anyaoku also applauded the Enugu State Governor for his giant strides in development.
“Yesterday, I was given glimpses of projects that have either been completed or in active progress towards completion. I saw, for example, this magnificent International Conference Centre. I saw an array of CNG buses at the Okpara Square. I saw the Smart Green Schools, which I gather that the governor plans to replicate in every electoral constituency (wards), and I learnt there are as many as 260. I also visited a state-of-the-art bus station, the Holy Ghost Terminal.”
In his speech, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, host Governor, states that good leadership starts with understanding that the people should be the centrepiece of state policies and projects; “this is both a political and economic imperative.”
The lecture series champions the ideals of good governance, integrity, and visionary leadership principles essential for Nigeria’s advancement in the global arena.
The political class was well attended at the event, and students from different parts of the state.
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