(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through
this Constitution derives all its powers and authority;
(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of
government: and
(c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
(3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of
its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the
need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there
shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional
groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.
(4) The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the
agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or
council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the
people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among
all the people of the Federation.
15. (1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the
grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be
prohibited.
(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to:
(a) provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods
and services throughtout the Federation.
(b) secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation.
(c) encourage inter-marriage among persons from different places of origin, or of
different religious, ethnic or linguistic association or ties; and
(d) promote or encourage the formation of associations that cut across ethnic,
linguistic, religious and or other sectional barriers.
(4) The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of
the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.
(5) The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
16. (1) The State shall, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this
Constitution.
(a) harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an
efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy;
(b) control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum
welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and
equality of status and opportunity;
(c) without prejudice to its right to operate or participate in areas of the
economy, other than the major sectors of the economy, manage and operate the
major sectors of the economy;
(d) without prejudice to the right of any person to participate in areas of the
economy within the major sector of the economy, protect the right of every
citizen to engage in any economic activities outside the major sectors of the
economy.
(2) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring:
(a) the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development;