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Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, cautioned on Wednesday that Nigeria’s path to progress is obstructed as long as the 1999 Constitution remains in place. He argued that without dismantling it, efforts to restore order and stability in the nation would face insurmountable challenges.
He characterized Nigeria as a deeply pluralistic nation, emphasizing that genuine progress would require a constitution that fully acknowledges and respects its diverse ethnic and cultural makeup. According to him, only a truly federal structure could provide the foundation for unity and sustainable development.
“To those who think that the trouble with Nigeria today is the political leadership, I would say that as long as we have the 1999 Constitution as our grundnorm, not even Angel Gabriel or Malaikah Jibrin as leaders can successfully tackle the divisiveness, the underperforming economy with the resultant poverty, the insecurity, the humongous corruption, and the other major challenges currently facing Nigeria,” Anyaoku said.
The elder statesman spoke at the launch of the book: “The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun,” held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his role as chairman, Anyaoku opened his remarks by underscoring what he described as an undeniable reality: Nigeria, like various other pluralistic nations worldwide, consists of communities that have long occupied separate territories. He pointed out that these groups are marked by diverse historical backgrounds, cultural customs, languages, and religious beliefs, all of which shape the nation’s identity.
“The universal lesson is that pluralistic countries which have survived as single political entities in unity and progress are those that addressed their pluralism, that is their diversity, with genuine federal constitutions. Examples of such countries are India, Canada and Switzerland.
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“I believe, therefore, that if our pluralistic Nigeria is to achieve true unity and political stability, and to successfully tackle the serious challenges that the country currently faces, it must have a truly federal constitution.”
Anyaoku took a moment to commend Professor Osuntokun, recounting how the prominent scholar had vigorously supported him during his run for the Commonwealth Secretary General position. He recalled Osuntokun’s determined efforts on his behalf, which left a lasting impression on him.
“I first knew of Jide Osuntokun when he was Adviser to Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, General Ike Nwachukwu, and accompanied the Foreign Minister in his journeys to campaign for my candidacy for the office of Commonwealth Secretary-General.
“I was then running against the man who had been the Prime Minister of Australia for seven and a half years.”
According to him, Osuntokun is not only an accomplished academic, “but also a patriot who was deservedly recognised last year by the prestigious Hallmarks of Labour Foundation, through the conferment of an award with the title HLF on him, which means a role model for our young people in how to achieve success through hard work and integrity.”
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who served as the reviewer and is a former Ekiti State governor, explained that while the authors initially conceived the biography in 2018, it wasn’t until 2021 that Professor Osuntokun gave his official authorization. Fayemi highlighted this gradual progression, reflecting the thoughtful process behind the work.
Fayemi took the attendees through the genealogy of the professor, including his academic and family life, as documented by the authors.
The authors shared that the idea for the book emerged in 2018, following Prof. Osuntokun’s tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. In 2021, Prof. Osuntokun formally approved the biography, generously participating in several in-depth interviews, including two virtual ones, and opening his library and archives to the authors.
