A communique issued at the end of the 104th National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the Association held in Owerri, Imo State on Saturday, July 17, 2021, revealed this.
The alumni association of the University of Nigeria (UNAA) has prescribed remedies to the nation’s problems and called on the Nigerian government to abandon the 1999 Constitution.
The association also stated that there is a need for “proper focus on the restructuring processes to be wholistic by conveying a Sovereign National Conference that will allow major stakeholders of ethnic groups to renegotiate the country’s terms of existence as a sovereign nation.”
A communique issued at the end of the 104th National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the Association held in Owerri, Imo State on Saturday, July 17, 2021, revealed this.
In the communique signed by the National President, Linda Agua-Onyekwelu and the National Secretary, Tony Chukwu, the country must also be in “pursuance of truth, equity and justice through Leadership by Example and Management by Objectives.”
According to the communique, the guest speaker, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie "maintained that diversity in cultures, tribes, religions and endowed natural resources of the people remained Nigeria’s strength as a nation, but that poor governance, insecurity and other vices had continued to pose serious challenges that tend to discountenance the strength as adversities".
It said, “Part of the challenges that have led to the breakdown of law and order in Nigeria associated with insecurity were identified as follows: The existence and operation of the 1999 Constitution.
“Double standards in the application of the Nigerian legal system.
“Lopsided appointment in federal government institutions, organisations and agencies.
“Youth unemployment and marginalization.
“The reluctance of the federal government to open up for dialogue.
“Insincerity on the part of different levels of leadership, government and other security operatives.”
The communique, however, listed some of the steps the Nigerian government and the people as a whole need to take to defeat the challenges.
“In line with the above, it was agreed that there is an absolute need for the following measures to be considered in order to reduce, if not completely eradicate these menace that have been identified above.
“Total rejection and discontinuation with the 1999 Constitution and evolution of the people’s constitution that will guarantee freedom to live and work as Nigerians.
“Focus on youth empowerment and advocacy for take-over of governance in order to unleash their creative potentials for economic, social and political emancipation of the nation.
“Return to fear of God and proper value system to discourage mediocrity and sycophancy currently predominant in the system."
“In conclusion, the UNAA 104th NEC meeting finally calls on the federal government to ensure justice and equity in all decisions of government in order to steer the nation away from an impending collapse, insisting that no great nation is built on inequity, injustice, oppression, impunity and executive lawlessness,” the communique added.