NIGERIA’S numerous administrative structures need to be urgently streamlined for greater efficiency, as part of moves to rebuild the country for national transformation.

This was the general position of speakers at the ninth Saint Moses Orimolade Memorial Colloquium, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, at the weekend, titled: “Rebuilding Nigeria through Faith, Values and Ethical Leadership for National Transformation,” where they advocated for review of the country’s structures, noting that democracy without good governance is sham.

The Keynote Speaker, the Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who regretted that the Nigerian house has serious structural defects, said many efforts have been made to keep patching it up but several of them have been futile.

He said: “Rebuilding a republic for the transformation of the nation will require that we revisit its body and soul. The body of the nation has to do with the structures of governance, what kind of political system we want, presidential or back to parliamentary. Do we have a federation or a confederation? How do we ensure an effective separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judiciary?

“The national security architecture, military, police, and other security agencies, are seen to be unable to carry out their assigned duties well. Political parties, elections and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are areas of major concern. All these are technical and administrative.

  “The soul of the nation, is less tangible but most important. These are issues of moral behavior, ethical norms, role of religion and its leaders, freedom of belief and practice.  We also have to distinguish between religion and godliness. There is ethics and morality, values and faith. Along these lines, we should be able to seek a common guiding spirit for the nation under God.”

Onaiyekan said what is being practiced in the country as politics is totally different. He described Nigeria’s politics as a struggle to grab power for personal interests and control of public resources, regretting that this is why it has become a do or die battle for victory by all means. “This kind of politics neither serves the people nor gives glory to God. No true Christian should be found involved in such an enterprise.

  “Nigerian Christians should stop grumbling and complaining about how badly the nation is being ruled. Rather, they should roll up their sleeves, organise themselves in political parties with good ideas of humble service and present themselves for public office….”

While confirming that the country is not where it should be currently, he said her ur situation is not hopeless, as there are resources, human and material, to rebuild the country for national transformation, both in its body and soul.

“We need to rebuild the structures of our nation. Our numerous administrative structures need to be streamlined for greater efficiency. Among areas of major concerns are – review of the way we choose our leaders; we can make laws such that political office is less attractive for the greedy; what about laws and regulations to promote ethical government? Can we reduce or eliminate completely the financial discretion on public funds? Any immunity must be for the common good, not to shield thieves.

“And we must address the tyranny of political parties, making provisions if possible for independent candidates. There are enough competent and experienced Nigerians to carry out the necessary administrative reforms to do this.”

   In his address, Baba Aladura, (Dr.) David Bob-Manuel, who described Nigeria as the largest black population in the world with amazing natural resources and human capital, noted that it has been bedeviled with economic hardship, injustice, maladministration, corruption and all social vices.

He noted that the country’s values and ethos have been thrown into the dustbin, just as leadership positions are treated as “I have arrived finally.”

  “Without gainsaying, it is the failure of the Christians to take their rightful position in building and transforming Nigeria that has caused this great country to have witnessed all forms of evil devices.

“Christian communities have a great role to play in rebuilding our nation. The first condition is our faith. The second factor prevalent in rebuilding any nation is Christian values and ethical principles.

  “The solution is not merely in desperation to take over government but the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to be a true leader,” he said.