It is my considered opinion that on behalf of the Awori people and Awori land of Lagos and Ogun States, it is imperative we make contributions to the amendment to the Nigerian Constitution as proposed by the 9th National Assembly. To kickstart the process I am putting forward the salient issues of the "Awori Position to the National Political Reforms Conference of 2005" for the consideration of the house and necessary action on the subject matter.
Research study of the Ultimatics Institute at the University of Lagos identified the Aworis of the Southwest Nigeria as being at the bottom of global socio-economic segregation process. The Aworis are the worst hit by poverty and underdevelopment. The Awori settlements in reference are spread in Lagos State and parts of Ogun State. They include Ikeja, Mushin, Itire, Isolo, Ejigbo, Ilasamaja, Ewu titun, Ikotun, Ijegun, Igando, Egbe, Akesan, Egan, Iseri-Osun, Agege, Oto, Ijanikin, Isashi, Ojo, Imeke, Ilado, Ojokoro, Iju, Ifako, Ogba, Oregun, Onigbongbo, Ojota, Obanikoro, Somolu, Ikosi, Odi-Olowo, Ojuwoye, Ikate, Aguda, Sogunle, Okota, Oshodi, Iworo, Apa, Ajeromi, Era, Ajegunle, Otto-Awori, Ilogbo-Eremi, Irede, Irewe, Apapa, Ijora, Ilogbo-Eremi, Ilogbo-Asowo, Ebute-Metta, Eko, Iru, Ikoyi, Lekki, Agbara, Igbesa, Ado-Odo, Ajiran, Ota, Ibaragun, Igaun, Akute, Alagbado, Meiran, Iba, Iseri-Mole, Ikate-Elegushi, Aja, Agboyi, Ogudu, etc. These areas were identified as the epitome of underdevelopment in sub - Sahara Africa.
Tracing the political history of Nigeria, a section of the Awori people was removed from the colony for what was tagged administrative convenience. This was further compounded during Lord Lugard era. With the administrative restructuring of the 1930s, a section of the Aworis was lumped with the Egbas and Egbados into the Abeokuta province. Thereafter, Lagos was separated from the West at the pre-independence constitutional conferences. The effect of these policies made Aworis minorities leading to their unbridled marginalization in all ramifications.
Today, the Awori people are not accorded their pride of place in the scheme of things in Lagos and Ogun States. Aworiland is treated as a no-man's land. Politicization of the creation of States and Local Governments was at the detriment of the Awori people. Coupled with the indiscriminate acquisition by successive Governments and rush for Awori land by individuals, religious organizations, shrewd business outfits and others have all contributed to dispossess the Awori people of their most precious natural gift.
(A) Awori stance on current effort in amending the Constitution is for adjustment and restructuring of the Nigeria's geo-political boundary that will group the Aworis in a single State with sufficient number of Local Governments for efficient service delivery to the people.
(B) Establishment of National Commission for the Preservation and Development of the core indigenous people of Nigeria in their native areas.
This becomes imperative to safeguard the indigenous people and their languages against extinction.
In the case of the Awori people, the attendant population explosion in Awori areas of Lagos and Ogun States was caused by the oil boom era and the unprecedented immigration from across the country into the area as a result of the Federal Government directive to all oil companies to establish theirhead offices in Lagos without proper planning to mitigate the effect on the local population.
The pressure became unbearable and was compounded by the Land Use Act of 1978 which vested the control of all lands in the State Governors who turned round to abuse it. The Land Use Act has wrecked more havoc in Awori area than elsewhere. In addition to this was the Land Title Vesting Act which also gave control of any land within 100 meters of the Coast or water - course or river to the Federal Government. Consequently, the Governments exercise maximum control over the hinterlands and offshore lands thus denying the land owners the natural economic resource for the sustenance of the present and future generations.
The National Commission for the Preservation and Development of the core indigenous people should have as its main functions; (i) Setting the agenda for Political and Economic empowerment of the people
(ii) Stem the erosion and encroachment of political, economic and social rights of the core indigenous people in their native areas.
(iii) Preserve the traditional and cultural rights of the core indigenous people in their native areas.
(C) Guarantee of the Political Rights of the core indigenous people in their natural habitat.
As contained in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) it is the duty of the Federal Character Commission to promote and protect the interest of all ethnic groups, States and Local Governments in Nigeria. To remedy the problem of marginalization often faced by core indigenous people in their native areas, quota system was recommended to provide for equity and justice in distributing resources and public appointments. But for the Nigerian factor, Federal Character is haphazardly applied to suit the whims and caprices of the powers - that - be thus placing the indigenous population always at the receiving end of deprivation and neglect. In the case of the Awori people, they are faced with the double edge sword of losing their land and political rights with the attached privileges. The immigrant population who are now in the majority and are close to the corridors of power corner most elective and appointive public offices especially the juicy ones. The solution to this anomaly is to allocate a substantial percentage of all elective offices and political appointments to the indigenous population in their native areas. The new Constitution should preserve the Governorship seat, Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Chairman of the Local Government and 35% of key Political appointments in the State and Local Governments to the indigenous population in their native areas.
Federalism should be made to work in consonance with the principle of derivation and allowing each region to develop at its own pace.
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