Foremost Constitutional Lawyer Nwabueze @ 85 Birthday Request: "Restructure Nigeria"

Only restructuring Nigeria will gladden me, says Nwabueze

http://guardian.ng/news/only-restructuring-nigeria-will-gladden-me-says-nwabueze/

By Kodilinye Obiagwu, South East Bureau Chief   |   10 June 2016   |   4:26 am

Benjamin Obiefuna Nwabueze

Celebrating his 85th birthday, with his voice barely audible, Professor Benjamin Obiefuna Nwabueze, yesterday restated his desire to see the restructuring of Nigeria.
As friends, colleagues, The Patriots, kinsmen, traditional rulers and others gathered in his country home in Atani, Ogbaru Local Council of Anambra State to honour him, Nwabueze said: “Without restructuring this country, I cannot see us transform into one nation. Things are not are going on well right now, but I still hope and pray that this country will change for the better.
“We should fight corruption, but the most important thing for me is how to unite this country to be one nation. I hope this can be achieved in my life time.”

Chairman of the occasion who is the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, described Nwabueze as a “colossus who has a track record of integrity, honesty and hardwork, an erudite lawyer of law and jurisprudence. He is a gift not just to Ndigbo but Nigeria. There is nothing anybody else has done as much as Nwabueze to develop our dear country. And he is easily recognised as one of the highest learned people in Nigeria.” Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano, said: “We in Anambra are privileged to have Nwabueze as our son. All the honor and prestige he has brought to the state cannot be forgotten or ignored by the government under my watch.”
Former presidential aide, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, recollected how he delivered to former President Goodluck Jonathan the letter from The Patriots, suggesting and requesting the convocation of a National Conference.
Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, also recollected how he met Nwabueze in 1972 in Lusaka, Zambia. According to him, “it was after that interaction with him, that I was convinced that he is a man of astute integrity and honor,” he further described him as an erudite scholar of constitutional law.
According to Nwabueze, his only birthday wish is to see that Nigeria is restructured. “I had prepared a long speech for Nigeria but unfortunately I lost my voice. It is my dream that we should grow into a nation. I have also dreamt how to create and change Nigeria into a nation. It is a pity that we lost the opportunity to make the country a nation. The only way out now is to restructure.”