Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan declined the offer by University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to name the new department of sociological and anthropology building after him, urging the Institution to name the department after an alumnus, Prof B.I.C Ijeoma, a distinguished sociologist and its former head of department.

Dr. Uduaghan who delivered a lecture on “Effective Governance in the 21st Century” on the occasion of the annual sociology/anthropology lecture of the university said the naming the building after Prof. Ijeoma than himself was more apt, as Prof Ijeoma had distinguished himself in the field of sociology amongst many other accomplishments.

The Delta state Governor in his paper urged the National Assembly to find the courage to move quickly to begin the process of tinkering with the 1999 constitution to remove areas of defect that has retarded the growth and development of Democracy in the country.

He said for any Constitutional amendment to be acceptable it must make justice to every part of the country an important corner stone.

Speaking further he said: “Justice to every segment of the peoples of Nigeria will greatly help in sustaining good governance.

Without justice to the people, good governance can be an arduous task. Justice is the golden grease that oils the wheel of good governance.”

He also prescribed dialogue as an important tool of effective governance. “An effective government in the 21st century can only succeed if the government continually consults and dialogues with the people.

This dialogue can take all forms. In Delta state we are continually dialoguing and consulting with the people seeking their input and not assuming that we have all the answers. We have held stakeholders meetings on a broad range of issues and without any preconceived notions.

In the end everybody feels a sense of ownership and partnership. Imagine for a second if we proceeded without seeking their contributions, how alienated and disinterested they might be.”

Lamenting that the federation is not working, Dr Uduaghan said: “We just have to find the courage to take a second look at the laws guiding the operation of our Constitution.

I would hope the National Assembly can do its work in amending the Constitution,” adding “to find the courage to take a second look at the laws guiding the operation of our Constitution,” adding “pointing fingers merely leads to denial and defence and ultimately preservation of the status quo.

I believe fervently that the Nigerian state can be salvaged; that the future remains bright if we rise as a people and work at it together, in unison.”