The additional state Nigeria needs

Written by: Oluwagbenga Bankole

  

The agitation of the just concluded National Conference for the creation of 18 new states didn’t come to me as a shocker. Looking at their agitation from different perspective, I think they are right to the extent that some states in Nigeria are bigger in times of land occupied and population than some countries in Africa. In addition to this, creation of new states will enhance the development of the country and also create jobs for some many people.

Lagos State with the population of 9,019,534 is bigger than Togo, Benin Republic, Libya, Liberia, Gabon, Gambia, Swaziland and Cape Verde among others. In the same vein, Oyo State covers approximately an area of 28,454 square kilometres. This cannot be compared with Cape Verde, Comoros, Gambia, Swaziland and Djibouti among others.

The big question is that what should be the yardstick for state creation? This is a billion dollar question that even the confab could not answer. Should land size or population be the criteria for state creation? If land size is the criteria, certainly, Oyo State deserves two slots. Meanwhile, if it is the population that will determine it, Lagos and Kano both deserve one slot each.

The biggest question is: do we really need 18 states? We only need one state!

We need one state where Nigerians can see themselves has one, where corruption will be nowhere to be found and where tribalism, ethnicity, gender differences or religion will not be the basis for relationship.

We need one state where there is stable electricity supply, where there is free and fair election and where there is truly equality before the law. We need one state where there is no discrimination between the Polytechnic and the University education. We need one state where strike will not be the best means for workers to channel their grievances to the government.

We need one state where there is protection of lives and properties. We need one state where there are conducive job opportunities for job seekers. We need one state where there are basic infrastructures and where the government encourages entrepreneurs.

We need one state where pensioners and females will not be treated as slaves, where physically challenged people’s opinions can be heard and respected. We need one state where we can sleep with both eyes closed. We need one state where Boko Haram insurgency will be the thing of the past. We need one state where Nigerians can cajole or rob mind with their leaders.

The one state we need is Nigeria. Let us join hands together to make Nigeria great.