Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that nothing is wrong with the country’s federal system, saying mismanagement and corruption are threats to our progress as a country.
He stated this on Tuesday, during the 7th edition of LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Annual Conference and Awards, at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
The vice president was represented by Aliyu Modibbo Umar, the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties.
According to Shettima, the “Problems we attribute to our federal system often stem from the poor management of what is already within our grasp, not from any inherent flaw in our constitutional architecture. The issue is not merely how much each federating unit accrues, but how judiciously such resources are utilised.
“Our national experience has shown, time and again, that the greatest threats to our progress have stemmed from the mismanagement of resources and corruption.
“What matters most to everyday Nigerians-whether in Owerri or Sokoto-is not the abstract theory of federalism but whether governance delivers water, electricity, schools, roads, and hospitals.”
Addressing awardees and others present, the vice president noted that there is no doubt that the Nigerian challenge, when carefully considered, lies less in the structure of our federalism and more in the deficit of our collective fiscal responsibility.
Speaking on the theme, “Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism,” he said it was because of some of those challenges that “We have chosen the path of reform. It is bold, often difficult, but necessary. One such step is our unflinching pursuit of local government autonomy-a vision we are realising through the sanctity of due legal process.
“The recent Supreme Court pronouncements in favour of autonomy underscore our commitment to building a federal structure that works for the grassroots. This is how we make the federation functional: by bringing governance closer to the people.
“To those who argue that Nigeria’s federalism is fundamentally flawed because of its fiscal nature, I urge caution. Federalism, as practised around the world, is not a one-size-fits-all system. There is no universal template. Each country’s federal arrangement is shaped by its history, culture, and political experience.”
He explained that examples had shown that no federal system was perfect.
Speaking on the present administration, he said the policy choices pursued by this administration-from the removal of fuel subsidies to the introduction of tax reform bills-were aimed not only at guaranteeing a fiscally responsible federation but also at creating a system that offered each state both increased allocations and the opportunity to participate in debates and reforms for long-term fiscal stability.
The governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi on his part said the LEADERSHIP award would inspire him and his team to do more for the people of the state.
Namadi, who spoke after receiving the Governor of the Year Award described the award as “Inspirational”.
He said the conference provided a “Platform for discourse on national issues, which are critical germane to the social political development of this country”
He promised to remain focused and steadfast in improving “The social welfare of our people most responsively and inclusively for a greater Jigawa for present and future generations.”
In his remarks, Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf said the award would inspire him to do more, a reason, he added, made him dedicate his governor of the year award to the vulnerable children across the country.
Governor Yusuf, who said the award would drive him to deliver more democratic dividends to his people, noted that he had never lobbied for the award or thought of getting it.
“This award will give us the necessary drive and encouragement to deliver more dividends of democracy to our people. In Kano State, we will keep doing more to ensure free education, as all children must be enrolled. We must also build infrastructure and give all necessary support for developing the educational systems.
He promised to support the young ones, especially those that want to further their education.
“I am dedicating this award to all vulnerable children around the country,” he said.
The governor of Akwa Ibom, Pastor Umo Eno, praised the newspaper for its diligent and unbiased approach in recognising leaders who have made a meaningful impact in their respective fields.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, emphasised that the awards were based on merit rather than influence.
Chairman of Leadership Group, Mrs Zainab Nda-Isaiah, said the award ceremony was not just about applause but about awakening the nation’s collective responsibility to strive for greater impact.
She called for a shift in how excellence is celebrated in Nigeria, urging that national awards should serve as recognition of achievement and as a catalyst for broader inspiration.
In her welcome speech, she paid tribute to the organisation’s late founder and her husband, Sam Nda-Isaiah, who established the media group in 2004.
She described the ceremony as a moment to not only honour the achievements of this year’s award recipients but to challenge every Nigerian to reflect on their own contributions to nation-building. (Daily trust h
