Edo Leaders of Thought insists on one Nigeria, seeks definition for restructuring

LEADERS of thought in Edo State have added their voice to the agitation for self-government by some groups in the country and restructuring, stating that they were not in support of secession by any part of the country.

The statesmen, who converged on Benin City on the aegis of Concerned Edo Leaders of Thought (CELT), appraised recent development in the country as it pertains to threats of violence, secession and the call for the restructuring of the country, calling on all governments to strive to deliver good governance to the citizenry so as to stave off current agitation.

Reading from a 10-point communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Benin, CELT President Col (rtd) Paul Ogbebor, said the country would benefit more at home and within the committee of nations as a united and indivisible entity.

While arguing that the call for the restructuring of Nigeria should be well defined such that it must involve every Nigeria through a national referendum, the group called the federal government for equitable distribution of national wealth, which they identified as the root cause of the present agitation

“This they must do by investing in human capital through provision of qualitative education and welfare services to the citizens. It’s only a committed investment in our human capital that would prepare everyone, especially the youths to meaningfully contribute to national development”.

Other demands by CELT were “that leaders of all ethnic nationalities and groups should refrain from making inflammatory statements and hate speeches that fans the embers of discord, violence and disunity but should rather be at the forefront of seeking peace and resolution of contending national issues.

“That after the National Goals of Nigeria independence and Civil War for her survival and Unity, another National Goal should be urgently articulated and put in place for total National mobilization and regimentation.

“That 80 per cent of all projects designs and execution should by law be executed only by Nigerians to save the import of technology and work force and the export of our scarce foreign currency.

“That 30 per cent of Nigerians wealth should by law be invested in research and development with 40 per cent in agriculture.

“That the restive groups in Nigeria should sheath their swords and toe the path of dialogue and peaceful co-existence within a United Nigeria. Suffice to say that any action that will lead to another civil war must be avoided at all cost.”