Soyinka disclosed that a non-government organisation, known as Chibok Volunteers International, that would promote ideals of quality and quantitative education to the underprivileged in every part of the country and other countries, would soon be unveiled.

In his speech, President Jonathan admitted that insurgency was a real challenge to his government, stressing, “The issue of Boko Haram insurgency is one of the challenges this administration has to tackle headlong. Many innocent lives have been lost in different parts of the country. May the souls of those who have died due to the devilish activities of the faceless group rest in perfect peace.”

However, the President, who was represented by Malam Shekarau, noted that he would continue to ensure access to quality education at all levels.

The Pro-Chancellor, retired Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Adewole, urged the Federal Government to give the institution a special status with more budgetary allocation, stressing that the institution deserves special attention for infrastructure and overhead.

•Prof. Soyinka standing at the reading of his citation

In his lecture, titled, “Federalism, Democracy and the future of Nigeria”, Aregbesola opined that for true federalism to thrive Nigeria must opt for regional government, adding that the federal system of government being practised in the country lacked federal structure. He said, “We must return to a system which makes the state strong, if not stronger, but at least put it on the same level as the centre in a democratic practice where the rule of law prevails and no state is under the fear and terror of central diktat. We must break the mental stranglehold in which those who make a stand for genuine federalism are viewed as ethnic champions, rebellious and consequently marked for political annihilation.”

•L-R: UI Pro-Chancellor, Gen Adebayo Adeyinka, Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and UI VC, Prof Isaac Adewole

Aregbesola stated that Nigeria cannot easily forget its best era, which was between 1952 and 1966, a period when regional government was practised: “Chief Obafemi Awolowo presided over a phenomenal development of his region, broke many firsts and established a 50-year education gap between the West and the rest of the country. He was a convinced federalist who rightly believed that the whole is the sum of its parts; the greatness of any nation is the sum of the greatness of its parts. He set forth at dawn and proceeded to make his region great. He also never lost sight of national unity as he, more than any other, sought power at the centre. For his unflinching affirmation of federalism, he was vilified and made the object of vicious attack and labelled as a tribalist.”

For the nation to attain true federalism, the governor demanded for the restructuring of the federating units, devolution of powers and reduction of the power at the centre; entrenchment of a true federal administration that will be based on parliamentary system of government, and fiscal federalism stressing: “My take has been and still remains that each geo-political zone should control its resources with certain percentage paid as tax to central government to manage its limited federal responsibilities, as was the case in the First Republic. Federalising the judiciary, the court system, as it is presently, is unitary and not conducive to genuine federal practice. Each region should have its own appellate system up to its own Supreme Court. There is need for fundamental restructuring of the military. There should be a regional-based army but with central control, just like in India.”

Others in attendance were the deputy governors of Osun, Ekiti, and Oyo states, Chief (Mrs.) Titilayo Laoye, Dr. Kolapo Olusola and Chief Moses Alake; former Oyo State governor, Senator Rasheed Ladoja; Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Chief Audu Ogbeh, captains of industry, royal fathers, and vice-chancellors from several universities.