Professor Olutayo Adesina, the Head of the Department of History in the University of Ibadan has insisted that the best thing that should happen to Nigeria is the immediate stoppage of the ‘quota system’.
The scholar, who is the elder brother of President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Chief Femi Adesina also submitted that the ‘so called quota system’ has been hampering the growth and development of the country.
Adesina gave these submissions while presenting a lecture in commemoration of Splash 105.5FM Radio Station and the 82nd birthday celebration of the founder of the broadcasting outfit, Chief Adebayo Akande, MFR.
The lecture, titled ‘In Search of A Nigerian Dream’ was delivered recently at the historical Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan.
The Ipetumodu-born scholar told his distinguished audience that ‘quota system’ is a major Achilles heel of Federalism in Nigeria.
His words “the quota system was introduced to take care of some perceived inadequacies in our federalism. It was designed as a stop gap measure to help a region build capacity and also feel included in the programme of nation-building and this was a statutory measure.
“Unfortunately, the quota system has now become an albatross on the neck of the country. There were complaints that the system had become a never-ending one to create a privileged region.”
He then went ahead to quote the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II who he said was one of the major critics of the quota system.
Adesina quoted Sanusi as saying that “we have been saying this for 20 to 30 years. If the North does not change, the North will destroy itself. The country is moving on. The quota system that everybody talks about must have a sunset clause.
“You don’t need to ride on being from Kaduna State or being from the North or being a Muslim to get a job, you come with your credentials, you go with your competence, you can compete with any Nigerian from anywhere… We need to get northern youths to a point where they don’t need to come from a part of the country to get a job.
“And believe me, if we don’t listen, there would be a day when there would be a constitutional amendment that addresses these issues of quota system and Federal Character.
“The rest of the country cannot be investing, educating their children, producing graduates and then they watch us, they can’t get jobs because they come from the wrong state, when we have not invested in the future of our own children.”
Apparently admonishing the present Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, Adesina then said “In a democracy and in support of equity, the quota system should be discontinued in favour of merit.”
The guest lecturer also went on to posit that “Nigeria is now gradually turning into an illiterate society, not in terms of not reading and writing but about the lack of consciousness about the state, society, rights and duties.
“Nigerians have created tribal conclaves all over the place. The fissiparous tendencies in the country have multiplied exponentially over the years. Those who have been calling for the break up of the country have pointed to the issue of inequity as a strong reason.”
In his welcome address, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Orikolade Kola Karim who is also the Agbaoye of Ibadanland used the opportunity to pray for sound health and long life for the celebrant, Chief Adebayo Akande.
Other distinguished Nigerians at the event included Oba Eddy Oyewole, Chief Bayo Oyero, the President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, Mr Laolu Ogunniyi, Oyo FIBAN boss, Comrade Seun Awodele, Oyo NUJ boss, Comrade Ademola Babalola and several others.
Packaged by Olayinka Agboola and Olawale Awe
