CNG canvass for population as indices for Revenue sharing formula.
As the agitation by the states and groups for an equitable revenue sharing formula takes the front burner of National discourse, a group known as Coalition of Northern Groups CNG has urged Government to adopt population as a measure for the revenue sharing formula.
This is just as it challenged the Northern youths to take their destinies in their hands by activily participating in the ongoing political process of the country.
In a Maitama sule’s lecture series held on Monday at the campus of Kogi state polytechnic Lokoja, with the theme” Equitable Revenue Allocation, a Panacea for Agitation and Contestation in Nigeria” the guest lecturer, Dr. Murtala Ibrahim, averred that, the people should be the basis in which derived revenue should be shared against other considerations.
He said , revenue is essentially made for the people, because, without the people, there wouldn’t be revenue, hence, the North with majority population should be accorded higher percentage in the ongoing revenue sharing process.
Dr. Ibrahim, a chartered Accountant and senior lecturer with the Bayero University Kano said , the agitation for equitable revenue allocation sharing formula dates back to the colonial days, saying that population have always been the yardstick for the sharing formula.
He averred that the 1946 revenue sharing Committee, allocated 42% to the North while the Western and Eastern Region were allocated 34% and 24% respectively.
According to the university don, it was only in 1957, that the west got the highest percentage on the basis of origin of the derivation, arguing that subsequent reviews were in favour of population.
The university Don, noted that, when, the Rivers and Lagos states agitated for the direct collection of Value Added Tax , the CNG was in the forefront condemning the agitation, stressing that the revenue from the North and other parts of the country was used to build the capacity and infrastructures that attracts population and industries to Lagos.
He warned that for the Nation to live in peace and harmony, it must distribute its resources equitably, which is the only Panacea to insecurity and other forms of social dislocations.
Earlier, the chairman of CNG, Alhaji Salisu Mohammed Yakassai, explained that, the Maitama sule’s lecture series was in kogi state to generate ideas and raise the consciousness of the youth especially students of tertiary institutions to aspire for leadership positions in the country.
He added that the CNG was formed in 1999 for the North not to be short changed in the Nigeria enterprise, stressing that , it is now time for Northern youths to take over the mantle of leadership in the country.
He urged them to take their studies very seriously, that without good education, they wouldn’t be able to compete with their peers from the other parts of the country.
In their separate speeches, Reverend Bitrus Bewarang and Mrs Dorathy Nuhu challenged the youth to begin the process of self mobilisation in order to assume leadership positions, saying that no power is given rather power is taken.
They noted that the founding fathers and their immediate successors assumed office at a relatively young age , charging them to avail themselves for the onerous task of leadership to take over from the inept and corrupt crops of leaders doning the length and breadth of this country.
According to them, the only way to seize power is to belong to a political party, get voters card and activily involved in the decision making process of the party and to vie for political offices.
” The youths, boys and girls are the major ingredients of electoral success. As the 2023 general election draws closer, you should present yourselves for elective positions and to vote the best candidate that will lead the country out of its challenges.
” We cannot continue in abject poverty, violence and insecurity.Youths are always the victims. Nigeria needs to be rescued and the only way to effect the change is to participate in politics and the time to seize the opportunity is now. .” They chorused.
