…Says annual bill of 5 billion dollars on food Importation by Nigeria, not acceptable

…Says Nigeria has the highest number of out of school kids of 15 million in the world

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA- Senate President  Bukola Saraki, has listed five ways the National Assembly can help restructure the country for the overall benefit of all Nigerians.

President of the Nigerian 8th Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki

Saraki, who spoke while declaring open a retreat organized by the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF), in Katsina yesterday said, “On the five ways the National Assembly can help bring about equitable restructuring of the country.

My own restructuring is when we work towards economic development in every part of the country, so we can all take pride of place in the Nigerian project, and no region is seen as a weak link.

“My own restructuring is when we oversee the budget process to ensure equitable spread of critical infrastructure in every corner of the country, so that no region is left out of the gains of economic recovery.

“My own restructuring is when we create jobs and enhance food production so our people do not go hungry. My own restructuring is when we educate our children so that they can realise their full potential and partake in the promise of the future.

“My own restructuring is when we place a premium on delivering good governance, fight against corruption, valourise honesty and live to serve the people – without betraying the trust reposed in us.”

He stated that these were his own idea of a restructuring “that is not merely cosmetic, but has the power to truly transform lives.”

Saraki who also noted that the annual bill of five billion dollars on Nigeria food importation was not acceptable, however urged the NSF to continue to focus priority attention on diversification and with greater emphasis on the need to boost the North’s agriculture and mineral resources sectors, especially food production.

He said, “We must be the food basket of the nation – and we must do so in reality, not by some oft-repeated cliché. We must be the source of substitution for the food importation that currently amounts to an annual bill of 4 to 5 billion dollars for the country.

That self-sufficiency that is central to the economic diversification ethos, must come from the North, must be guaranteed by us, because we have what it takes to make it a reality. ”

The Senate President who stressed that Nigeria has the highest number of out of school kids of 15 million in the world which does not in any way augur well for the country, said, “It is with that eye on the future that I call our attention, once again, to the estimated 12 to 15 million children not currently in the education system – the highest number of out-of-school kids in the world.

Nigeria’s ignominious distinction in this regard is not only regrettable, it is a weakness in the human assets of this country, and poses a serious threat to national security. It is a stain on our collective conscience that such a huge demographic is without education in the 21st century.

“We simply cannot abandon millions of Nigerian children to the trap of ignorance and poverty. It behoves us, therefore, to come up with policies that will lead to a significant decrease in the out-of-school population, and improve on the numbers as we go along. The crisis in education also manifests itself at tertiary level.

When it comes to private universities in this country, the statistics tell the story: the North has the least number. However we look at it, access to education is a serious challenge in the North. We need to change the game, to empower our people to compete on equal terms with the rest of the country, and the world.”

Saraki who also harped on the need to keep the country united while working to ensure that all regions get their rightful share of developmental programs and projects, however urged the NSF to commit to providing worthy leadership that would help mitigate the pains inflicted by insurgency, most especially on how to ensure that the estimated 12 – 15 million out of school children in the area, return to the classrooms.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sani Onogu, the Senate President who noted that since every Nigerian will no doubt have his or her own perspective on the issue of restructuring but said he hoped that the  retreat will go some way in helping the NSF to crystallise the ideas, and shine a light on the road ahead, said, “And so, what do we expect from the Northern Senators Forum in this talk of restructuring?,”

“Permit me to suggest that we need you to pay close attention to the (restructuring) debate, having regard to the various shades of opinion on the matter. Thereafter, we look to you to distil from the debate a coherent message that perfectly articulates the position of the North. We have full confidence in you.  I have no doubt in my mind that we, as leaders, need to do a lot more work; we need to carry out analyses and research – to be able to pick the substance from the sentiment.

“I say this because, during the last Constitutional Review, there were items that were rejected, for example, Devolution of Powers. But upon reflection, we realised that it was actually not inimical to the interests of the people.

“It is my hope that in the quieter atmosphere of this retreat, such issues can get the clear-eyed consideration they deserve. In terms of security, our region has suffered the most, due to the insurgency and other crises.

“It is in our interest, therefore, to strengthen and reform the security architecture of the North. The onus is on us to provide worthy leadership.

We must be focused. We must be prepared to correct the mistakes of the past.We must always be conscious of the need to weigh sentiment against value. More importantly, we should not be afraid of change.

“Leadership is also the ability to carry out those constitutional reviews that are needed to bring the North, and Nigeria, firmly into the modern age. Let us always remember that our positions are held in trust for future generations. History will not be kind to us if we fail.

This is a time for courageous leadership, strong enough to change the narrative of Northern Nigeria.”

He noted that although restructuring is the front burner issue in the polity at the present time, the one problem with all the talk about restructuring is that the discussion is not being framed properly – and certain precepts are missing.

Saraki said: “I have said, and it is my firm conviction, that we must give precedence to the unity of Nigeria at all times, and put the interests of the country first. We must not be afraid to think outside the box. We must not be afraid of reform.”