Regionalism, leeway for Nigerian ailing polity — Anyaoku

By LANRE ADESANYA

FORMER Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, piqued by the quantum of waste of national resources the current Nigerian system of governance heaps on the national treasury, advocates regional system as a panacea.

The elder statesman called for the restructuring of Nigeria state into six regions for better governance, stating that most of the component states are not
viable for national development.

Anyaoku, who stated this at the annual Akintola Williams distinguished lecture series held in Lagos to commemorate the 96th birthday of the Doyen of accounting in Nigeria, explained that with the regionalization of the country’s political structure the central government would have less administrative cum political responsibilities to address.

Anyaoku reiterated that the era whereby states run to the federal government for financial succour should be jettisoned and disregarded, stressing that leadership is the key to success in both corporate governance and politics.

Anyaoku added that President Muhammadu Buhari led government should focus more on combating corruption and also deal with revamping the country’s economy through diversified economic strategy, adding further that ministerial portfolio should be assigned to ministers with relevant prerequisites.

Speaking on the theme “Leadership factors and Good corporate governance- Key to National Growth and Development”, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, stated that the rudderless leadership of the country over the years is enough to make the country bankrupt, stating that the failure of public governance has resulted to high rate of poverty and large scale corruption.

Fayemi explained that strategic cum succession planning and long term vision, should be considered in the establishment and management of corporate organisations, stressing that transparency, accountability, competency, integrity and good societal values should be considered in recruitment into both corporate and public administration.

Eulogising Chief Akintola Williams, Fayemi stated that Williams has played key role in the development of the country’s accounting profession, describing him as the doyen of Nigeria’s accounting profession.