Varsity Don, Dr. Akougbosun Advocates “Democratic Localism” For Nigeria

By Ben Nwanne

A notable historian at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Dr. Bartholomew Akougbosun has canvassed the need to harness extant indigenous institutions and resources under the framework of co-operative societies tagged ‘’democratic localism’’ for a stable and improved political development in Nigeria.

Speaking at a symposium, Wednesday at the Delta State University, Abraka in honour of the world acclaimed historian, Professor Abednego Ekoko, who passed away recently, Dr. Bartholomew Akougbosun advocated the need to localize democracy to suit local needs and conditions.

Dr. Bartholomew dissected the topic ‘’The Quest for Restructuring in Nigeria, A case for Democratic Localism’’ with intellectual zeal, insisting that the idea of ‘’democratic localism’’ was novel in the literature of the subject.

According to him, the current system in the country is ‘’unitary federal system’’ with numerous injustices and inequalities.

He observed that in the early 60s, the country had a well structured fiscal federalism but was abrogated by the military in 1966 when they interfered in the affairs of the country.

While noting that military rule was an aberration, he regretted that the democratic dispensation had been unable to deliver dividends, largely because of selfishness of the main actors.

‘’The people benefitting from the system will not give it up’’, he remarked.

Speaking at the well attended occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka congratulated the organizers of the event, the Faculty of Arts, on their effort, noting that it was a befitting honour for one of Nigeria’s most renowned historians, politicians and community leaders.

According to Prof. Egwunyenga, who is giving DELSU an enlightened and committed leadership, Prof. Ekoko was one of the Nigerians who were prepared for post Colonial Nigeria on account of their high education and exposure.

Prof. Egwunyenga described Prof. Ekoko as ‘’one of Nigeria’s best military scholars’’ as his early carrier was in the military, where he taught young military officers at the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), noting that he ‘’enjoyed campus life, always teaching. He enjoyed lively debates and superior arguments’’.

Discussants at the occasion naturally took different perspectives in handling the topic.

Prof. Emma Mordi of the History and International Studies Department and an ASUU-DELSU leader, noted that there was no uniform federalism across the world.

Dr. Emma Uphuofu-Biri, the Ag. Director of Academic Planning emphasized ‘’fiscal federalism’’ but noted that Nigeria appears to be in a ‘’forced marriage’’.

Dr. Tega Okinono of the Sociology Department observed that every sector needed restructuring, adding that all strata of society including states, LGA’s and Communities needed to work together to achieve restructuring.

Dr. Ben Okpevra of the Department of History and International Studies presaged his presentation with a series of rhetorical questions. ‘’What is restructuring’’? ‘’What is the difference between democracy and restructuring’’?

While noting that Decree 34 which foisted unitary system on the country sponsored misunderstanding and concluded that restructuring should begin from the family.

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Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State and former Chairman ASUU-DELSU, Professor Patrick Muoboghare recalled how late Prof. Ekoko, who was sole Administrator of DELSU at the time, solved the problem of late resumption of students by ordering that all lecturers must administer tests at the 3rd week of every semester.

He assessed the Nigerian scene and concluded that Nigeria was bedevilled by too many lies!

The occasion attracted the crème de la crème of society, including but not limited to Emeritus Professor Emma Nwanze, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, and chairman of the occasion, Professor Ben Oghojafor, Vice-Chancellor, Dennis Osadebay University Asaba, Prof. (Mrs) R. N. Okoh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) DELSU, Prof. Ochuko Anomoharan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Acad); Prof. Elo Ibagere, Provost, Oleh Campus, University Librarian, Prof. Samson Uwaifo, University Bursar, Mr. Justice Egbare and Registrar, Mrs Rufina Ufiofio, former Vice-chancellor, Prof. Eric Arubayi and his wife, Prof. Mrs Arubayi and a former President of Isoko Development Union, Barr. Benjamin Ovririe.