Being the Text of an Address by His Excellency, The Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FAEng, Senator representing the Ogun East Senatorial District at Public Hearing on the Constitution Alterations Bills in the National Assembly on Friday, 04 July, 2025.
Protocols
Let me start my address by thanking the leadership of the National Assembly for the proactive actions and dedication with this Public hearing event, which is aimed at ushering in a people-oriented constitution for our dear nation. Special commendation must also be given to the joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives for the painstaking efforts towards ensuring that we get this process of Constitution review right this time around. I appreciate their efforts and, being a member of the National Assembly myself, I know what it takes to get to where we are today.
All these would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of our President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He has shown great leadership, and without an iota of doubt, his commitment towards leaving a lasting legacy to generations yet to come through a formidable constitution that will stand the test of time is undeniable.
The task before us is clear cut: to create a constitution that embodies the reality of our collective desires as a people, the unity of our country and the prosperity of the people of our nation.
My assignment here today is not to talk but to listen, just like every member of the National Assembly. We are here to get feedback on the bills within the Southwest region – home of Mr President- on what should be considered in the constitutional amendments and why.
But as a Senator representing one of the most intellectual powerhouses of Nigeria and home to some of our nation’s founding fathers and revered leaders, I cannot help but represent the views of my people in Ogun East senatorial district.
On November 27, 2024, I presented to the Nigerian Senate – for this first time in this Senate year- bill number SB 654, for an act to alter section 3(1) and the first schedule, Part 1, states of the federation of the 1999 Constitution in tandem with the yearning of my constituency to correct over a century of unfairness and injustice against the people of the old Ijebu province.
For clarity purposes, the great country we now enjoy today is an amalgamation of 24 provinces. Namely:
Abeokuta Province of Western Region, Adamawa Province of Northern Region,
Bauchi Province of Northern Region,
Benin of Western Region,
Benue of Northern Region,
Bornu of Northern Region,
Calabar of Eastern Region,
Cameroons of Eastern Region,
Ijebu Province of Western Region,
Ilorin Province of Northern Region,
Kabba of Northern Region,
Kano of Northern Region,
Kastina of Northern Region,
Niger of Northern Region,
Ogoja of Eastern Region,
Ondo of Western Region,
Onitsha of Eastern Region,
Owerri of Eastern Region,
Oyo of Western Region,
Plateau of Northern Region,
Rivers of Eastern Region,
Sokoto of Northern Region,
Warri of Western Region,
Zaria of Northern Region.
I have taken my time to list carefully all the provinces that made up our Nigeria of today, and if you followed this, you will agree with me that the old Ijebu province remains the only province without a stand-alone state.
So our job here is simple. To correct the mistake, unfair treatment and injustice of over a century.
But we are not here to demand for a state not just because we deserve it through history, we are here to present our case in relation to the requirements of law. Our proposed state out of the old Ijebu province will be a child born with a silver spoon.
The old Ijebu province is home to the fastest-growing industrial hub in the country, and the internally generated revenue from the region makes up a significant portion of Ogun State’s revenue.
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Already, we have an international Agro-Cargo Airport, a deep-seaport underway at Olokola FTZ and an untapped supply of bitumen, crude oil, limestone, among other precious mineral resources.
Recently, we held the entire world spellbound with the annual Ojude Oba festival that continues to be a global phenomenon, drawing millions from all over the world and attracting billions in investment and trade.
And most importantly, we have an ever-growing youthful population that exceeds the population of most of our existing states today.
I am confident that if given an opportunity us to manage our affairs, this homogeneous region with common cultural, language and social heritage will be a great addition to the collective prosperity of Nigeria.
I also have the confidence that at the end of this town hall meeting, members of the constitutional amendments committee will leave here as advocates of fairness and equity.
I am also pleased to inform this gathering that our people in Remo, at a meeting of the Remo Traditional Council yesterday which was attended by almost all the Obas of Remoland, have expressed their desire to go with their kins in Ijebuland once their name and identity are reflected in the name of the proposed new State; IJEBU-REMO STATE, just like it was done for AKWA-IBOM STATE. I need to emphasise that this is a general consensus, a development which I believe will make History for which our people will forever be grateful. As we call for the support of every Nigerian and all lawmakers and Houses of Assembly across the length and breadth of our country with the support of our dear President.
However, apart from state creation, another focal issue that should be looked into is the disparity in citizenship. I believe strongly in citizenship by birth, especially for Africans. Since the World War, Nigeria’s foreign policy has always been Africa-centred, and this has positioned us as the shield and protector of this beautiful continent. It is therefore my considered view that Africans of Nigerian descent should not be denied their right to citizenship. Hence, we are encouraged to take a critical look at the Birth-Right Citizenship for Certain Persons of African Descent Born in Nigeria.
Finally, Yoruba has a saying, ‘Ma fi Owo me we wa jeun’, a cautionary tale to imbibe the spirit of saving and protection of the future to us all. Recently, Mr President disclosed that when he took over, he met the country in a mess.
To correct part of these messes, Nigeria must now begin to encourage the act of diversification, investment and savings. Unfortunately, this is not just something policies alone can do, as the constitution expressly states that all generated revenues must be shared.
I have therefore proposed for the alteration of the 1999 constitution as amended to enable an independence of the Sovereign Investment Authority and the Sovereign Wealth Fund as constitutional bodies to enable them pto erform their duties optimally without encumbrances.
I beckon you all to support these amendments not for personal gain but the prosperity of Nigeria, for fairness, equity and justice and most importantly: For God and country!
Thank you all.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
