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| Dr. Oby Ezekwesili |
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, founder of Human Capital Africa, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s constitution to tackle long-standing imbalances and inequalities.
She urged the media to take a leading role in advocating for these critical reforms.
Speaking on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the 7th Penpushing Media anniversary and annual lecture in Abeokuta, Ezekwesili addressed the theme: “Reworking Nigeria’s Federalism: Perspectives on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism.” She emphasized that a new constitution is not just desirable but a matter of life and death for Nigeria’s future.
Ezekwesili highlighted the need for a genuine constitutional conference where Nigerians can engage in open, honest dialogue, aiming to build a framework that truly reflects the nation’s diverse realities and aspirations.
The current constitution, she noted, is outdated, making reform imperative
“The media should take the front seat and be at the vanguard of a demand for new constitution. We must have a constitutional conference that enables the people of this country to have honest conversation around things that will make us make progress and make Nigeria work for all of us,” she stated.
“If there is anything that will come out of this annual lecture it must be that the media should be at the vanguard of a push for a constitutional conference, one that will enable the constituent part of this country, a constituent assembly elected by the people, they go, they sit, they have the discussion on the basis of the issues that makes fiscal federal system of government to work and come out with issues that are eligible for constitution, which is put before the people to vote in form of referendum.
“This is what Kenya did after almost collapsing, and since then, you never hear them talking about break-up, they will talk about the need for good leaders,” the humanitarian and an activist stated.
The former minister, pointed out that only a new constitution that prioritises devolution of powers, justice, equity, and fairness to all, irrespective of tribe and ethnicity, will solve the agitation for secession by some part of the country, the problem of insecurity, the challenge of unemployment and poverty, and maladministration.
The advocate for transparency, accountability, good governance berated the National Assembly efforts on the ongoing constitutional amendment, stressing that it is nothing but a charade and a conduit pipe to waste public funds.
Ezekwesili, who was accompanied by her husband to the well organized and well attended ceremony, added that hijack of the nation’s political space and, by extension, that of the continent by a set of criminal enterprise gangs, who now sit at the table and slice governance in the direction that best suits them, while the larger interest of the people suffers, is worrisome.
She added that the National Assembly decided to embark on a venture that will do little or nothing to help address the need to restructure the country along the practice of true federalism, stressing that a fresh constitution will help address all the imbalances and the inequalities.
“The ongoing constitutional amendment cannot work, it cannot address our problem, it is a charade and sheer waste of resources. The demand for a new constitution is a matter of life and death,”Ezekwesili said.
“For instance, when the engineer tells us that the foundation of a building is structurally defective, is it not to take the whole building down because it will continue to constitute an endangerment to the people,” she noted.
“You won’t say, Oga, can we just do some little adjustment to the building, no, it won’t work, and this is same with nation building. So, this expensive charade that the National Assembly is embarking on and spending money on won’t take us anywhere’, Ekwesili stated, among other things.
The founder of Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, earlier in his welcome speech, explained that the essence of the annual lecture is aimed at elevating conversation around issues that could further enhance the greatness of the country.
He disclosed that the media outlet, which is the first online newspaper to start operations in Abeokuta, said the organization has continued to grow in leaps and bound.
He further added that the establishment has been contributing significantly to changing the narrative of the country through qualitative reportage and offering philanthropic gestures that are deliberately designed to uplift humanity, among others
In goodwill messages by Funke Fadugba (Chairman Editorial Board of Penpushing Media); Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (Chairperson Planning Committee); Femi Adesina; former Presidential spokesman to the late Mohammadu Buhari; Justice Deinde Soremi (retired Justice) admitted, Princess (Dr) Ronke Ogunremi, Maureen Chigbo and Chief (Dr) Joju Fadairo admitted the positive relevance of Penpushing Media in the media industry globally
The panelists at the well packaged ceremony include Sir Eddy Aina (former Director National Broadcasting Commission); Hon Adijat Adeleye (Ogun State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development); and Prof Abgail Ogwezzy-Ndisika (Director, Institute of Continuing Education, Mass Communication Department, University of Lagos) and Fatai Owoseni (Retired Commissioner of Police).
The members of the planning committee include Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (Chairperson); Sina Adefolahan (Secretary); Seun Sodiya; Otunba Gbenga Onayiga; Hon Remmy Hazzan, Toyin Ogunbomehin and Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki
Meanwhile, the editorial board include Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji (founder); Funke Fadugba (chairman); Eddy Aina; Barrister Benjamin Ogunmodede; Yemisi Fadairo and Femi Shodunke
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