By Victor Ahiuma-Young

LAGOS— CHAIRMAN, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Mr. Dayo Fafunmi, has advised Nigerians to embrace the call for the nation’s restructuring, saying it remains the surest way to move the country forward towards a truly great country that every Blackman will be proud of.

restructuring

Speaking against the backdrop of the nation’s 57th independence anniversary, Fafunmi recalled the sacrifice of the nation’s men and women in the struggle for freedom and noted that Nigerians needed to do the needful to secure the future for the coming generation.

Reacting to the clamour for restructuring of the country, he contended that following several agitations of some Nigerians and also looking at what “we have been able to achieve as a country after 57 years of independence, it is imperative that we consider restructuring.

He said: “States in the country want decentralisation and more power to them. However, to ensure adequate growth for Nigeria and to maintain her status as a united country, restructuring must take place.”

“Several regions were disadvantaged during the military era, the military created several states in the north. Kano was created about the same time Lagos State was created. Kano today has 44 local government areas while Lagos remains at 20 local governments. Kano State gets more allocation from the federation account while Lagos State gets less despite its huge population.”

“Lagos State is the commercial nerve centre of the country. Its impact on the GDP of the nation cannot be overemphasized. Besides, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, moving at a melting speed. There is need for a legal regime that recognises its special place in the nation. In the spirit of fairness,  Lagos state requires a special status, bearing in mind the pivotal role it plays in our economy