http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/03/cut-president-govs%E2%80%99-tenure-cbn-gov-sanusi/

* Also seeks slimmer legislature, cabinet

By Taye Obateru

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has urged the nation to consider a single tenure for the president and governors, a uni-camera legislature and a reduction in the number of ministers in the search for a durable democracy.

This is as he accused the present ruling class of failing to leave behind the same or a better educational system than the one they enjoyed while growing up, challenging Nigerians to collectively take up the challenge to fix the country for the benefit of present and future generations.

Sanusi spoke, yesterday, after being conferred with a honorary doctorate degree at the 24th convocation of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), reiterating that the solution to militancy, kidnapping and ethno-religious crises was to create an equitable society that would give people hope.

He said Nigerians must answer honestly some questions that are fundamental to the country’s economic growth and development even if the answers are unpalatable.

“What are our priorities as a nation? What can we do about the cost of governance? We just passed a budget of N4.9 trillion, the bulk of which is recurrent expenditure. We have a constitution that says we must have a minister from every state, so we must have 36 ministers. Do we need 36 ministries? These are questions that we need to ask.

“Do we really need a bi-camera legislature? Do we need all the ministries, departments and agencies that we have or can we do something about that and reduce the cost of governance and free up funds for education and health?”, he said.

The CBN governor added: “The vice chancellor just announced that this is his last convocation after four years. I still remember when vice chancellors had two terms and, at the end of the first term, there would be nothing but struggle and conflict between vice chancellors and deputy vice chancellors and whoever wanted to succeed.
“Do our executives, maybe, need just one term so that they now think of the legacy they leave behind rather than the next term? These are the questions that the civil society alone can raise and would push through the legislative changes required to improve governance in this country. Democracy is a process; the constitution itself should evolve and it should be relevant to the needs of a developing nation.”

He said the country was not spending enough on education while people are not presented enough opportunities that would make them succeed, adding, “it is very easy to dismiss people as militants or as terrorists or as fanatics or as ignorant people, but the fundamental question is, what type of society breeds these types of human beings and who is responsible for that society?”

Sanusi lamented that while most of those presently in leadership position received quality education from primary to university within the country, “we are not leaving for those coming behind us something as good not to talk of better, than we benefitted from.”

He advised the youth to refuse to be used by those who construct differences on the basis of religion or ethnicity, arguing that “the only difference that matters in the difference between those who have and those who do not have; between those who have the opportunity and those who do not.”

In a message to the convocation, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Nicholas Damachi, said the administration was committed to improving education as demonstrated by the allocation of the highest amount ever to education in the 2011 budget.

He re-affirmed the commitment of the administration to maintaining peace in troubled areas like Plateau State noting that the country’s nascent democracy requires a peaceful atmosphere to grow.

He commended the governing council and the management of the university on the giant strides recorded in various areas despite obvious challenges.

A total of 6,924 graduands bagged various categories of degrees, diplomas and certificates among them, Governor Gabrael Suswam of Benue State, who bagged a Ph.D. Sanusi and chairman, Zinox Technologies Limited, Mr. Leo-Stan Ekeh, were conferred with honourary doctorate degrees.

We must listen and act on what Sanusi has been telling us over the years. Nigeria is already a Bleep up compared to what it is capable of, Sanusi wants it to change. I see this man as a fellow progressive and I will support him so long as he does right.

1. Before Yar'Adua even hired him, he stated to the senate that he does not agree with the 7 point agenda and at most it should be 3 point agenda.

2. He stated facts about our national assembly that many know but were afraid to talk about or were benefiting from.

3. He is now giving ideas on how to get serious and rapid growth and development.

Nigeria is a unique country with unique people and unique problems. We don't need to lift another countries constitution and laws word for word, we should look at our own unique situation and formulate the best solution for progress.

Thank you.