PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has given in to pressure to organise a national conference to discuss the future of Nigeria, setting up a 13-member advisory committee on national dialogue, with Dr Femi Okurounmu as chairman.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, who conveyed the appointment of the committee members in a statement in Abuja, on Tuesday, added that Jonathan also approved the terms of reference of the committee.
He added that the advisory committee, which has Dr Akilu Indabawa as secretary, would be inaugurated by President Jonathan at the State House, on Monday, by 10.00 a.m.
Other members of the committee are Professor George Obiozo, Professor Ben Nwabueze, Senator Khairat Gwadabe, Senator Timothy Adudu, Colonel Tony Nyiam (retd), Professor Funke Adebayo and Dr (Mrs) Mairo Ahmed Amshi.
Others are Dr Abubakar Sadiq, Alhaji Dauda Birma, Mallam Buhari Bello, and Mr Tony Uranta.
The terms of reference are to consult expeditiously with all relevant stakeholders, with a view to drawing up a feasible agenda for the proposed national dialogue/conference.
The committee is to make recommendations to government on structure and modalities for the proposed national dialogue.
They are also to make recommendations to government on how representation of various interest groups at the national dialogue will be determined.
They will also advise on a timeframe for the national dialogue/conference; advise government on a legal framework for the conference; advise government on legal procedures and options for integrating decisions and outcomes of the national dialogue/conference into the constitution and laws of the nation.
The commission will, also on the terms of agreement, advise government on any other matters that may be related or incidental to the proposed national dialogue/conference.
The statement said the committee had one month within which to conclude its assignment.
In his nationwide broadcast to commemorate the 53rd Independence Anniversary of the country on Tuesday, he stressed the need to encourage dialogue and uphold the constitutionally guaranteed rights of freedom of expression, freedom from discrimination and the right to vote and be voted for.
In agreeing to organize the national conference, Jonathan explained that as an advocate of national dialogue, he took cognizance of the years of agitation for national dialogue on the future of the country.
He said: “Fellow Nigerians, our administration has taken cognizance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a national dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I am an advocate of dialogue. When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.
“In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a national dialogue or conference. The committee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.
“The Committee will be chaired by Dr. Femi Okurounmu while Dr. Akilu Indabawa will serve as the Secretary. The full membership of the committee will be announced shortly.
“I expect the report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the dialogue.”
Jonathan, who recalled his address to the just concluded 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly where he emphasized the role of democratization in improving the fortunes of the people, noted that the joy of democracy is its ability to encourage diversity, discourse and disagreement.
According to him, “it enables us to have an opinion. And ultimately, the ballot box gives us all the opportunity to instigate change. When democracy works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and defines it.”
Meanwhile, Senator Femi Okurounmu has accepted his nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan as chairman of the Advisory Committee of National Dialogue.
In an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Okurounmu congratulated President Jonathan for acceding to the “long-standing demand of progressive people in Nigeria for national conference.”
The former Senator, who spoke from United Kingdom, recalled that Nigerians had been clamouring for a national conference since over two decades ago, adding that it was cheering to hear that President Jonathan had endorsed a national dialogue.
On the continuing terror attacks in the northern parts of the country, Jonathan counseled that Nigeria must draw lessons from the situation of countries which have been destroyed by extremism but vowed that “no cost will be spared, no idea will be ignored, and no resource will be left untapped in the quest to enable our people live without fear.”
He noted: “The threats we face may be real and immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It is a difficult season for much of the world: industrialized or developing; rich or poor. What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the jaws of likely defeat.
“And I tell you, more than anything else, there are lessons to learn, and every cause to be thankful. If I must cite one example, take Syria. As we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving, multi-cultural nation which played host to a mosaic of religions and ethnicities.
“But that once idyllic nation has today become a theatre of human misery of unimaginable proportions as a result of the activities of extremist forces.
“Fellow Nigerians, the spectre of extremism haunts every democracy in every corner of the globe. While we celebrate our independence and good fortune, our hearts must grieve for those who have lost loved ones in numerous terrorist activities around the world.
“Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of the appalling atrocities in some of our States, especially the North Eastern part of our country. Just few days ago, terrorist elements attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State killing a number of innocent students of the institution and other residents in cold blood, most of them in their sleep. This act of barbarism is a demonstration of the extent to which evil forces will go to destabilize our nation. But I assure you, they will not succeed.
“My heart goes out to the families of all those who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts. Our Administration will not rest until every Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism.”
The President therefore appealed to all Nigerians to join hands in the fight against the evil of extremism for Nigeria to continue to leave in peace.
The President, who said he would not use the occasion of his speech to score political point, admitted that “these may not be the best of times for our nation. Our people are divided in many ways – ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide from my own responsibilities.”
He warned politicians to focus service, duty and leadership, saying, “our politics should be an art of patriotic labour and selfless service to the community, particularly by the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility.
“Politics has its own high moral principles which abhor distracting and divisive rhetoric. As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty, responsibility, and the next generation. Those who are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition.
“My clarion call therefore, on this special day, is that we should begin to align our political utterances and conduct solely to the nobler passions that unite our people. Politicians do not make a nation; ordinary folks do,” he added.
Jonathan gave a commitment to the nation, saying, “ “On my part, I re-dedicate myself completely to the service of this great country. I was elected President to continue the process of building a prosperous nation where hopes, dreams and aspirations would be fulfilled. Nigerians, home and abroad, want a country they can be proud to call their own.
“I am pleased to affirm that, no matter the challenges we face, we are on the right path to greatness. Our Transformation Agenda, which is part of the overall vision of making Nigeria a land of greatness, has been delivering positive and encouraging results.”
Source: Tribune
