As the Arewa think tank brainstorms on restructuring…

By Hameed M Bello

All is now set for a stormy session of critical stakeholders from northern Nigeria, and the bone of contention is the vexed issue of restructuring.
Recall that sections of the country, particularly the South East of late, have studiously demanded for restructuring of the Nigerian state with some key figures in the North backing the call. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is the most vocal pro-restructuring advocate from the North.
It is already in public domain that different columnists, scholars and indeed cultural groups, speaking supposedly on behalf of their kith and kin, have made their views known on the subject.
Observers say many of these views have typically been rushed, emotive and parochial, with some suggesting is has added more to the confusion than bringing clarity into the debate.
This may have prompted the need to elucidate the debate and avoid the confusions and tensions around this admittedly important matter.
It is against this background that the Arewa Research and Development Project ARDP, a Northern development platform has consulted numerous Northern platforms and is holding a conference on this matter in Arewa House, Kaduna on 20-21, September, 2017.
The planning committee of the conference draws from Northern academic institutions and Northern organizations like the NEF, ACF, Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation, Code Group, Northern Delegates Forum, Northern Re-awakening, Jamiyyar Matan Arewa and Arewa Initiative for Good Governance.
The conference seeks to blend academic presentations with realpolitik. So while academics and experts will lead with papers, a panel of practitioners will discuss the issues extensively.
The audience is expected to raise issues and make their inputs into the discussions. Some of the key papers will be on the historicity of the Nigerian federation; an examination of the constitutional developments in pre- and post-colonial Nigeria; and the dangers of war, the dynamics of peace. Others will look at the principles of fiscal federalism and revenue allocation; the land question and the development agenda of the North.
Accordingly, a panel of experts have been drawn to focus on the presentations and bring the practical dimensions to the fore while the audience will be availed a chance to make inputs.
The formal opening is expected to be chaired by the Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who chairs a committee of Northern governors and traditional leaders on the issue of re-structuring.
Speaking at the formal opening will be General John Shagaya who is the chair of the board of ARDP, Dr Usman Bugaje, the convener of ARDP, Alh Atiku Abubakar and the chair of the Northern Governors. Waterrang Paul Unongo, the chair of the Northern Elders Forum and Alh Ibrahim Coomasie, the chair of the ACF are expected to speak at the formal opening.
Some of the key paper presenters will be Dr Kabiru Chafe, Dr.Yima Sen, Professor Awwal Yadudu and Dr Chris kwaja. Other presenters will include Alh Suleman Ndanusa, Dr Saleh Momale, and Prof Murtala Sagagi. The panelists will include Senator Ali wakili, Dr Magdalene Dura, Dr Hadiza Isa Wada and Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim. Other panelist will include Senator Yahya Abdullahi, Dr Junaidu Maina, Senator Khairat Gwadabe and Dr Aliyu Sanusi. To chair these seesions and panel are AVM Mukhtar Mohammed, Gen Martins Agwai, Prof Ango Abdullahi and Prof Mike Kwanshie.
At the end of the two-day conference will be a communiqué to convey the resolutions of the discussions and recommendations of the conference and later a conference report with details of views expressed at the conference. The proceedings of this conference is ecpected be published into a book for posterity.