Nigerians need mental and attitudinal restructuring - Olu Falae
Oladeji Olaniyan
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae has shifted the debate on restructuring to a change in attitudes of Nigerians.
Speaking at a colloquium organised by the Postgraduate students of the department of Public Administration in Obafemi Awolowo University, which he chaired, he opined that there is need for proper change of mindset as the theme of the event was 'The Restructuring DEBATE: Nigeria's Path To Greatness'.
"For any restructuring to take place, we need mental restructuring and attitudinal restructuring" he asserted.
Also, during the discussion with other notable discussants, he emphasised the act of reducing the power concentrated on the Federal Government in a bid achieve restructuring, which he said has been the cause of corruption.
He opposed other arguments raised by other proponents of restructuring about the need for a physical restructuring in some sectors.
"Physical restructuring will not solve all our problems but can reduce it. Over concentration of all resources to the federal level has been one of the problem."
"There is need for devolution and decentralisation of powers, breaking the power into smaller units will help us (as a nation) in achieving restructuring" he said
Meanwhile, he discussed the importance of parliamentary system of government as part of restructuring to aid our progress as a nation and proposed a unicameral type of legislature.
"What we need is parliamentary system of government and unicameralism should be embraced. Parliamentary system of government is collegiate , cheaper to run and better." he recommended
However, the guest speaker of the occasion, Engr. Rotimi fasakin, an alumnus of the University, shared his views on restructuring from a historical and biblical perspective.
He made it known that restructuring is not about secession as some people have proposed and also that there is need for the citizens to exercise patience to get the country restructured.
"restructuring doesn't mean secession as some people think it is...Restructuring has to do with reorganizing of somethings which are not going well " he stated.
He further said;
" in achieving restructuring in Nigeria, we the people need to be patient because that has been our problem, we always want things to be done overnight and quickly."
A student who spoke with OAU KILONSHELE expressed his satisfaction with the colloquium
Prince jolaoluwa, a part two student of public administration
"It was nice and I'm sure that very many people gained a lot ." he said
Jolaoluwa, who doubted the feasibility of the speakers' view further stated his view about the speakers point on restructuring.
" Their points were germane, but it's all in theory. The preach the good means not that they are good. The point that made by the first speaker that restructuring is something that starts from us reshaping our mindset is much feasible. Every individual has that power to do that himself. But to restructure Nigeria? No. It's not feasible.
"Forget about the speeches and all. No one is ready to be at the fore front of restructuring Nigeria. Even if one person comes out, he gets less support, discouraged. Can true federalism do it as Dr Olu Falaye opined? Maybe.
But the true federalism isn't coming anytime soon."
"Basically, they gave good and pertinent points, but bring them into actuality is the problem." he argued.
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae has shifted the debate on restructuring to a change in attitudes of Nigerians.
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| Chief Olu Falae |
Speaking at a colloquium organised by the Postgraduate students of the department of Public Administration in Obafemi Awolowo University, which he chaired, he opined that there is need for proper change of mindset as the theme of the event was 'The Restructuring DEBATE: Nigeria's Path To Greatness'.
"For any restructuring to take place, we need mental restructuring and attitudinal restructuring" he asserted.
Also, during the discussion with other notable discussants, he emphasised the act of reducing the power concentrated on the Federal Government in a bid achieve restructuring, which he said has been the cause of corruption.
He opposed other arguments raised by other proponents of restructuring about the need for a physical restructuring in some sectors.
"Physical restructuring will not solve all our problems but can reduce it. Over concentration of all resources to the federal level has been one of the problem."
"There is need for devolution and decentralisation of powers, breaking the power into smaller units will help us (as a nation) in achieving restructuring" he said
Meanwhile, he discussed the importance of parliamentary system of government as part of restructuring to aid our progress as a nation and proposed a unicameral type of legislature.
"What we need is parliamentary system of government and unicameralism should be embraced. Parliamentary system of government is collegiate , cheaper to run and better." he recommended
However, the guest speaker of the occasion, Engr. Rotimi fasakin, an alumnus of the University, shared his views on restructuring from a historical and biblical perspective.
He made it known that restructuring is not about secession as some people have proposed and also that there is need for the citizens to exercise patience to get the country restructured.
"restructuring doesn't mean secession as some people think it is...Restructuring has to do with reorganizing of somethings which are not going well " he stated.
He further said;
" in achieving restructuring in Nigeria, we the people need to be patient because that has been our problem, we always want things to be done overnight and quickly."
A student who spoke with OAU KILONSHELE expressed his satisfaction with the colloquium
Prince jolaoluwa, a part two student of public administration
"It was nice and I'm sure that very many people gained a lot ." he said
Jolaoluwa, who doubted the feasibility of the speakers' view further stated his view about the speakers point on restructuring.
" Their points were germane, but it's all in theory. The preach the good means not that they are good. The point that made by the first speaker that restructuring is something that starts from us reshaping our mindset is much feasible. Every individual has that power to do that himself. But to restructure Nigeria? No. It's not feasible.
"Forget about the speeches and all. No one is ready to be at the fore front of restructuring Nigeria. Even if one person comes out, he gets less support, discouraged. Can true federalism do it as Dr Olu Falaye opined? Maybe.
But the true federalism isn't coming anytime soon."
"Basically, they gave good and pertinent points, but bring them into actuality is the problem." he argued.
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