From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
Barrister Salisu Yekini, Principal Assistant Registrar in Lagos State University (LASU) has unveiled a book on true federalism, while calling on governments and private sector to invest in research.
He said “Governments and the private sector must encourage relevant research works from reputable scholars by establishing and adequately funding world-standard research centres in all universities and polytechnics.”
Yekini, the author of the book titled, ‘Federation, Revenue Allocation and Restructuring in Nigeria: A Historical Perspective,’ was speaking at the book launch at the Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, LASU, Ojo on Tuesday, 30th November, 2021.
Yekini stated that the country is not a nation but a multiplicity of nations. “Undoubtedly this country is not a nation from day one of our independence, but rather a multiplicity of nations with deeply rooted and diverse ethnic pluralism. Of course, Nigeria is not alone in this basket of nations.”
The author said in order for the nation to succeed, Nigeria has an opportunity to learn excellently and borrow from experiences and successes of others in the same political arrangement like USA, Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, Malaysia and others.
He asserted that the knowledge of the concept of federalism has become very instructive and relevant to the Nigerian project as the principle of governance and management of complex, diverse, heterogeneous and plural societies.
He said even though the country is complex, it is not that the people are difficult, but the people deeply cherish their unique identities and environment and are willing to associate and form a union with others at the national level where they could co-exist mutually and enjoy or reap the benefits of co-existence, provided that their growth and development are not retarded or compromised.
Yekini who called himself a humble messenger and the book the vehicle for the transmission of the message, disclosed that the business of writing the book commenced in 2017 saying “This independent research work which has now translated into this book commenced in 2017 not for promotion but out of curiosity for an expanded knowledge in Nigeria and politics and also for the zeal and determination to contribute to the debate on critical national political and economic issues.”
He maintained that it is very dangerous for researchers to stand aloof or sit on the fence and watch the country dying, crumbling and collapsing “Research works should not be for promotion alone, but also and more importantly to address, solve or attempt to proffer solutions to critical societal problems constituting obstacles and barriers to qualitative growth and development. Researchers must be relevant at all times to the community in particular and the country at large. We must leave an enduring, shining and indelible legacy behind for posterity.”
