As the wheels are set in motion for the proposed national conference, President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that all decisions and recommendations that may arise from the dialogue will be submitted to the National Assembly for legislation.
Jonathan stated this yesterday while receiving the Sallah homage visit by an entourage led by Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed.
He said the national dialogue was timely as the National Assembly is in the process of a constitutional amendment, and therefore decisions arrived at such discussions can be enshrined in the constitution.
“This national dialogue is very critical and coming at the right time that the National Assembly is thinking of amending the constitution.
“So the outcome of the dialogue will be handed over to the National Assembly for legislation. Our aim is to pass to our children, a country that is far better and more peaceful than what we have now,” he said.
The president enjoined Nigerians to impress it on members of the federal and state assemblies to work together to ensure that the recommendations of the national conference are properly enshrined in the constitution in order to hand over a better nation for posterity.
The president dismissed the position of those who are critical of the conference or its timing, saying the dialogue was crucial to the peaceful existence of the country.
He also noted that like every well-articulated project, it must have a direction, which he stressed must not lead to the break-up of the country but ensure its stability.
“We want a country that will have a direction, so the discussions must have a direction, the discussion must lead Nigeria to where we want to be, not a divided Nigeria, not a Nigeria that is sown out of hate, not a Nigeria that will be based on acrimony, ethnicity and tribal sentiments in the way we conduct ourselves,” the president stated.
Elaborating, Jonathan expressed disappointment in the amount of acrimony Nigerians of different ethnic affiliations show towards one another, stating: “Sometimes when you listen to some Nigerians, even our elderly ones on radio, television and the social media you are disappointed to hear them insulting one another, preaching hate, spreading ethnic sentiments and instigating one group against the other.
“The hatred in the country being championed by some extremists in the country has necessitated the national conference on how this negative trend can be stopped for the future of our children.
“We want a Nigeria where our children will not grow up to develop hatred towards one another; that’s why we are instituting the dialogue. The discussion must have a direction, the discussion must not lead to the division of Nigeria, it must not lead us to hatred.”
The president thanked Sambo and his entourage for the visit, adding, “In spite of all the challenges, we are today celebrating Sallah. Despite all the challenges we are facing as a nation, God is helping us to move forward. Every nation pass through challenges.”
He added that 53 years in the life of a human being might be long but was short in the life of a nation.
“Fifty-three years is a long period but for a nation it is still young for us to get things right. That is why we are working to bequeath our youths a Nigeria that is at peace.
“The killings that are going on in some parts of the country have nothing to do with religion. Look at those 50 students that were killed, did the terrorists ask about their religion or ethnicity? That is why this terrorism has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity,” he told his audience.
Earlier, Sambo commended the president for the management of the economy and country, especially the proposed national dialogue, which he said would help address “our differences”.
He said: “I want to commend the president for his giant strides in the development of the country, as today we are celebrating political and economic progress.
“Also his well-articulated presentation at the recent United Nations General Assembly, and the victory of Super Eagles, I must say that your visit to them brought good luck.
“I further want to commend you for the proposed national dialogue, which will provide a platform to address our differences.”
The vice-president urged all Nigerians to continue to support the president and the transformation agenda of the administration to elevate the country to one of the most developed countries in the world.
Present at the visit were the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Ahmadu Ali; Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar; National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki; and John Cardinal Onayeikan.
Source: Thisday
