Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advocated stronger and autonomous States as a panacea for eradicating poverty in the country.
Professor Osinbajo stated this while delivering a lecture at the special parliamentary session in commemoration of the third anniversary of the eighth Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja.
Although the topic for the lecture was ‘Strengthening legislative institutions: panacea for eradicating democracy’, the Vice President however narrowed the topic down to ‘Stronger States and the eradication of poverty.
Professor Osinbajo said poverty could be eradicated by having strong States with strong arms of government which would channel the resources of the state to create wealth for the citizens.
He cited the great feat achieved by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who as Premier of then Western region recorded achievements that were acknowledged worldwide and most of which had remained enduring relying solely on revenue from agricultural produce.
Professor Osinbajo submitted that although he supported political and economic devolution and restructuring of the Nigerian state but that even without restructuring it was possible to create strong states without any major constitutional changes.
According to him, the Lagos State Assembly has pushed the frontiers of federalism by passing laws which have strengthened the idea in the country.
He commended the Lagos state government for creating exemplary institutions for economic growth and development.
In his remarks Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State praised the leadership of the state Assembly for supporting infrastructural development in the state.
According to him, the three arms of government in the state have always worked together and have striven to show a good example of democratic values.
Earlier in an address, Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Mudashiru Obasa said in the last three years the Assembly had passed twenty-eight bills into law and over one hundred resolutions on different subject matters including education, health, power, transport, security and the environment.
Chief Obasa commended Governor Ambode for his development strides in various parts of the State.
Other dignitaries at the event included Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’aba, APC National Legal Adviser, Mr Babatunde Ogala, APC South West Women Leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, and traditional rulers.
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