A Professor of Public Administration at the Lagos State University, Olufemi Jacob Fatile has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strongly consider revisiting recommendations of the 2014 National Constitutional Conference, particularly on the issues of true federalism , restructuring, resource control and insecurity in the country
The don who was delivering the 104th inaugural lecture of the university titled "Nigeria And The Killer Squad: Corruption, Insecurity And Restructuring Brouhaha -Why These Wicked Problems Persist", held on Tuesday inside capacity filled Buba Marwa Auditorium on the Ojo main campus of the institution, insisted in his recommendations that true federalism remains the best solution to Nigeria's problems
"There should be a total overhauling of the Nigerian political system through constitutional amendment process to expunge provisions that negate federalism and provide for implementation of true federalism," he stated
The task of fighting corruption in a globalised economy according to him, requires building credible institution among the three arms of government (legislative, executive and judiciary including establishment of special court s, improving the capacity of human resources, media and technology
Prof. Fatile who has over 140 publications on Intergovernmental Relations , Local Government Administration amongst others in local and international journals, identified human element as the most potent in the fight against corruption
"It is the individual that is corrupt and it is the individual that can be corrupted. If you see something, say something, not only say it, do something should be part of our " national slogan ", he stated
He also recommended decentralization of policing which is already receiving attention in the ongoing constitutional review by the National Assembly, saying it is a key solution to Nigeria's insecurity challenges
"This policing system should include community, local and state policing as they serve as the first line of defence "
The university don called on government to look into how to address major challenges facing security forces including inadequate personnel, capacity of personnel, technology-driven intelligence, shortage of weapons and officers' welfare and motivation while advocating for co-ordinated joint operation to tackle insecurity
He stressed the need for the control of small arms and light weapons through strengthening of related agencies to check inflow and local manufacture of illicit weapons and ammunition, saying "there should be a stringent position against proliferation of arms in Nigeria"
"National organizations such as Nigeria's National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) should find a way to cut off terrorist financing, especially from the NGOs and other international organizations ", he stated
The Professor of Public Administration however emphasized the need for government to focus more on improving the economy, by creating employment opportunities for Nigerians, so as to reduce the rate of poverty across geopolitical zones of the country
"Governance requires selfless dedication on the part of the leaders . There is a need for the Nigerian leaders to formulate policies and put them into action, provide employment opportunities, infrastructures and social services in order to build a strong and virile national where citizens can meet basic necessities of life "
Prof Fatile however stressed the need for political and administrative will on the part of public office holders in government to enable them implement the recommendations, so as to combat corruption and ensure accountability in the fight against terrorism and other security challenges in the country
He was full of appreciation to the leadership of the university under the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello for the opportunity given to him to deliver the 104th inaugural lecture of LASU from the Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences
The inaugural lecture is the third from the department and seventh from the faculty
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