Only restructuring will address marginalization of Igbo - Ekweremadu
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday said the marginalization of Igbo within the Nigerian federation was a reality that could only be effectively addressed through restructuring to enthrone true federalism.
Ekweremadu was represented in Abuja by Hon. Dennis Amadi, representing Ezeagu/Udi at the House of Representatives at the public presentation of the book, “The Audacity of Power and the Nigeria Project: Exclusion of the South East in Nigeria’s Power Politics and the Spectre of Biafra,” authored by Godwin Udibe and Law Mefor.
Ekweremadu said: “The cross of Ndigbo in the Nigerian state is heavy; Igbo marginalisation is real; and, as the authors argue,
TTnow borders on exclusion.
“But the worst disadvantages suffered by Ndigbo are not just those imposed by structural imbalances such as fewer number of States and local governments or the lesser revenue accruals, political representation, federal employments and political appointments arising from the imbalances and willful injustice.
“The greatest marginalization and disadvantage suffered by Ndigbo is the willful dissembling and discarding of true federalism, which the founding fathers of Nigeria adopted in order to live together as one nation in which no one is oppressed and every component part is able to thrive. This awkward form of federalism has boxed Ndigbo to a tight corner and caged their potentials and ingenuity,” he said. he Supreme Court has ordered that the case of 9, 024 Kwara State accredited pensioners owed N1.68 billion arrears should be heard afresh by a different judge in the Kwara State High Court, other than Justice E. B Mohammed.
Delivering the lead judgment in a unanimous decision yesterday, Justice Ejembi Eko said the case file should be he United Religions InitiativeAfrica, (URI) yesterday appointed renowned interfaith activists and peace makers, Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye, as co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre in Kaduna, as Goodwill Ambassadors of the Golden Rule.
The appointment was made at the deliberate remitted to the Kwara State Chief Judge for reassignment.
Other members of the panel that heard the appeal included the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, Muss Dattijo Muhammad, Kudirat Kekere Ekun and Sidi Dauda Bage, all justices of the Supreme Court.
The appellants are the AttorneyGeneral of Kwara State and the Governor of Kwara State while the respondents were represented by Alhaji Ishola Lawal, Prince launch of the United Religions InitiativeWest Africa office in Abuja.
Delivering an address, Regional Director of URI-Africa, Mussie Hailu, said the appointments were made in recognition of the outstanding work of both men in promoting peaceful co-existence and harmony among followers of different religions through the teaching of the Golden Rule in Nigeria and the rest of the world. Ayobamidele Ajibola, Usman Kasimu, Joseph Kolawole Immam Gbagba and Mrs Marian Akanbi.
The pensioners had since October 2008 approached the Kwara State High Court to claim their withheld pension and gratuity but the state government challenged their locus standi to file the suit.
The pensioners lost at the High Court and appealed to the Court of Appeal that ordered that the amount be paid within 90 days.
Imam, pastor appointed envoys of “Golden Rule”
Mussie, who is also the Global Envoy and Representative of URI to the United Nations, (UN) and African Union (AU), said the Golden Rule which says “Treat others the way you want to be treated” summarizes the basic teaching of compassion, non-violence, respect, honoring the dignity of all living beings.
Ashafa and Wuye in separate comments expressed appreciation for the appointment.