By Sunny A. David, Awka

At 92, elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku expressed his deep regret that Nigeria remains a “country” and not a “nation,” urging immediate constitutional restructuring.

Speaking at the 14th Chief Emeka Anyaoku Lecture Series on Good Governance in Enugu, Anyaoku lamented the current 1999 Constitution’s failure to address Nigeria’s diverse population, hindering its development.

He contrasted Nigeria’s current centralized governance with the more regionally-focused system of the early years of independence, arguing that the latter fostered faster development.

Anyaoku believes a genuine federal constitution, enabling greater regional autonomy, is crucial for good governance and National unity.

This sentiment was echoed by keynote speaker Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Foreign Affairs Minister, who stressed the importance of constitutionalism and the rule of law for National progress.

Governor Peter Mbah, the event’s host, highlighted the need for people-centered leadership, emphasizing that good intentions alone are insufficient.