Ben Ezechime, Enugu
A renowned Political Scientist, Professor Obasi Igwe, has called for the restructuring of Nigeria into 12 regions as a way of curbing insecurity ravaging the country.
Igwe made the call during a colloquium in memory of Late Prof. Aja Akpuru Aja, organised by the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) South-East Zone in Enugu with the theme “Strategic Solutions to Security Challenges in Nigeria.”
Late Professor Aja, who hailed from Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria, was untill his death on March 16, 2024, a member of NPSA.
Igwe said the restructuring would be according to uni-ethnic-nationality side by side with multi-ethnic nationality regions agreeing to the modalities or constitution governing their relationships.
He said that large ethnic nationalities like Igbo and Yoruba should be independent regions while there will be other three regions each in the South and Middle Belt regions as well as Hausa Fulani and Kanuri regions.
He said the number in each category would be determined by competitive regional considerations, explaining that no economic policy or blueprint can work without correct political foundation through restructuring.
He added that each region should be made to own and manage her resources, competing to develop herself within one Nigeria by ensuring true federalism.
“When this is done, terrorists, separatists, youth restiveness, poverty, unemployment and acrimonies of today will be considerably abated.
“A structured new Nigeria must be modern democratic secular state of equal laws and equal application based on universal, civilised common law principles covering everybody as well as having own regional security,” he said
In his opening Remark, Chairman of the event and Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Alloysius Okolie, described Aja as one of the best teachers, mentor and a great strategist.
Okolie, represented by the Director, Institute for Peace, Conflict and Development Studies, ESUT, Prof. Felix Asogwa, added that Aja was friendly, courageous and lived a life of imparting in others.
He commended NPSA for organising the programme in his honour.
Earlier in an address, the Chairman, NPSA, South-East, Prof. Chukwuemeka Nwanegbo, said the association decided to honour their departed colleague, Aja, for his immense contributions to the society.
Nwanegbo, who is a professor of Comparative Politics, Peace and Security Governance said that Aja worked at different levels of National Intervention outfits and strategic issues.
He said, “Aja was Professor of a Strategic Studies who domiciled his idea and work in the area of strategic security management.
“Aja engaged in South-East with scholarships and he was a trainer of people and a developer of men and women,” he said.
He explained that the association chose security as topic because of the area Aja worked on which had become fundamental issues recently in the country especially in the South-East.
The don noted that security problem were major issues that actually defied all efforts for solution, adding that the association was seeking strategic solution to it through discussions at the event.
“Our members are all the political scientists by training and practice,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the family, Prof. Michael Nwachukwu, thanked NPSA for finding their brother worthy of honour and celebration.
