The Rebirth Group (TRG), a Non-Governmental Organisation has declared that for Nigeria to be sustainable as a nation, it must be restructured without further delay, stressing that the country would be better served if it goes regional.
Penpushing reports this was contained as part of resolution at the its third Symposium on how Nigeria can chart a new course in which everyone would have a sense of belonging and a country to be proud of.
The symposium was held on July 30 and 31, 2025 at Predia Hotel and Suite, Ebeano Estate, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria, themed,’ ‘Restructuring Nigeria: Inevitable Pathway to Peaceful Co-Existence, Equity and Sustainable Development’.
Penpushing further reports that the communique Comrade Jare Ajayi (Chairman), Mr. Diy Nweze and Mr. Olaolu Abogunloko added that in view of the cost implications of running presidential system and its tendency to encourage corruption, the symposium advocated a return to Parliamentary System of Government as was done before independence and in the First Republic.
The communique noted that in certain quarters, fear was being expressed on whether restructuring Nigeria into regions will lead to the abrogation of states that we have presently, it however, pointed out the regions would form the federating units to make the country to be known as United Regions of Nigeria (URN) or any other nomenclature that we find convenient. Each Region is to have its own Constitution and be autonomous.
*This is to ensure that they are in a proper position to operationalize self-determination. The restructuring must be such that the community, state and local government from where certain resources come should have 70 per cent of the proceeds of the resources while 30 per cent goes to the center.
*Setting up of a Restructuring or Rebirth Commission was suggested to address the wounds inflicted on various nationalities in the country with a view to genuinely healing them. It can be called a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission.
*Participants were encouraged to continue the advocacy for Restructuring when they return to their respective places. Just as it was resolved that Women, People with Disabilities and Youths are to be encouraged and be given more opportunities for greater participation in the affairs of the State, Region or Local Government to which belong.
*It was resolved that specific roles be constitutionally assigned to Traditional Rulers in the regions of the country, if they so desire, so as to encourage them to take more active part in the affairs of their people and of the nation.
*Southern Region chapter of The Rebirth Group was commended for ensuring that we had a successful Symposium.
*Finally, participants expressed appreciation to the organizers of the Symposium and pledged to be active in the efforts to restructure Nigeria in a manner that will make it more people-focused and become so democratic that no one area or group would act as though it is above or superior to the others.
Penpushing also reports that the present symposium is the South-Eastern edition of the series, with two previous ones held respectively in May, 2024 in Ibadan for the South West and in November, 2024 in Kaduna for the North Central.
The Convener, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, explained to the audience what The Rebirth Group (TRG) is about and what it sets out to achieve – a Restructured Nigeria in which every citizen would have a sense of belonging, and where there would be no discrimination under any guise.
Penpushing reports that he explained that major objectives of the symposia being held in various parts of the country are to critically examine the structural challenges of the Nigerian federation.
‘To build consensus on the necessity of restructuring and developing a clear, actionable roadmap towards a just, equitable and sustainable political and constitutional order that guarantees peaceful coexistence, regional autonomy and inclusive national development’, he added
Penpushing further reports that Oladejo in the same vein, stated that the symposium aimed to build consensus on The Rebirth Group (TRG’s) proposed model: Autonomous regions, Inclusivity, Co-operative and Meritorious System.
The convener added that participants at the symposium were representatives of various ethnic communities in Nigeria, stating that besides those who were physically present at the venue, others participated online through Zoom.
Penpushing also reports that the former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo in his remarks said Nigeria can be described as a family, stating that family members do quarrel and that does not stop them from being a family.
The former Minister commended the non-governmental, non-sectarian and non-ethnic organization for the initiative and said for that reason Nigerians, must find a way of addressing issues that crop up in a manner that will make them stronger and more united.
Penpushing reports that Chairman of the programme was Prince Chukwuemeka Onyesoh, Oba Agbalenze na Nri while the keynote speaker was Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi, and incidentally, the kernel of the submissions by the duo was a strong advocacy for restructuring Nigeria into a Confederation.
The guest speaker Professor Obasi Igwe on ‘Structuring a Symmetric Federalism for Nigeria’, called on Nigerians to more closely examine the four, ten and 12 regional arrangements being proposed.
Penpushing further reports that, he emphasized that regionalism is the way to go, adding that incidentally, the Willink’s Report of 1958 has a good template on this, citing example of advocating a return to the said Willink’s Report, as doing so would be a great service to all Nigerians, including the Igbo.
The Chairman at the event in his own submission said of the 13 most powerful economies in the world, eight are run by parliamentary democracies, stressing that since parliamentary system grows economy much better in human development than presidential democracy, recommended that system of government for Nigeria in addition to going confederal.
Penpushing also reports that Professor Evangelist Agbo who spoke on ‘Rebuilding the States under a Regional System’ went into the memory lane as to what the political representatives of various ethnic nationalities equally spoke about in turn – the need to rejig the country.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Onyebuchi Mba who led a delegation to the symposium lamented that people with disabilities are being subjected to various deprivations that need to be stopped and redeemed.
Penpushing reports that members of his organization therefore demanded for a restructured Nigeria that is inclusive and mental restructuring that will bring about a system that does not permit discrimination of any sort.
The participants recommended devolution of power, state police, fiscal federalism among others, as components of restructuring and regionalism, and by consensus, they called for a regional system that vests self-determination in the indigenous people of a given area without necessarily compromising the national spirit of the country.
Penpushing further reports that representative of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), Reverend Carley Ibekwe declared that the cries of the Igbos are over!, and prayed for the country alongside other clerics
Meanwhile, representatives of the organisations at the symposium include Hausawa, Yoruba community, Ohaneze, Afenifere, SOKAPU, Middle Belt, Okpe Union, the Youth Assembly and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
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