National Conference To Hold In 2014..Goodluck Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday took delivery of the report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the proposed national conference, revealing that the conference would hold at the beginning of next year.

Speaking at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa after the submission of the report by the committee led by its chairman, Dr. Femi Okurounmu, the president directed the coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to ensure that the necessary funds are released for the conduct of the exercise.

Jonathan, who reiterated that he has no personal interest in the conduct of the national conference, said the submission of the report marked another milestone in the nation’s march towards building a better cohesive society.

He noted that in spite of challenges of nation-building, Nigerians have in the last 53 years demonstrated the belief that its diversity notwithstanding, it remained a country with great potentials, noting that”the task before us is to build a strong and united union.”

Jonathan pointed out that his administration stands for a stronger and more united Nigeria and would do everything within its power to practically pursue this noble cause.

While thanking the chairman and members of the committee “for their commitment and resilience and dedication to the service of our fatherland,” the President noted that they have no doubt contributed significantly to the process of building a stronger union of the Nigerian family.

He added: “Mr Chairman, I’m delighted that the committee consulted widely in compiling its reports and recommendations, reaching out to various socio-political and economic interest groups. 

“I’m told that majority of Nigerians who participated in the interactive sessions that you conducted in 13 major cities across the country expressed agreement with our commitment of an indissoluble, united and stronger Nigeria. I understand, however, that one person demanded an outright dissolution of our federalist structure.

“In order to meet the yearnings of Nigerians and provide our people the platform they desire, government will study this report and act on its recommendation.

“Nation-building always come with challenges defined by the prevailing political, economic, social and cultural mood of the people. We cannot ignore such challenges, rather we must realistically address them. 

The President assured all Nigerians that government will partner with all stakeholders to convene this dialogue whose outcome, he said, will add value to the process of building a stronger, united, more democratic and stable Nigeria. 

“I believe that by the time we conclude this conference, there will be fewer open letters that Nigerians will read. 

“I have already directed the coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to make adequate financial provisions so that this conference will take off immediately we enter next year,” he said.

In his remark, the chairman of the committee, Okurounmu opined that the committee travelled extensively across the length and breath of the country during which they interacted with the large cross section of the people across socio, economic and political divide. 

According to him, “this extensive interaction, perhaps, thanks to a supportive media had an untended beneficial effect on the prospect of a successful national conference.

“It has sensitised and mobilised the citizenry, awakened in them a new realisation of their democratic powers and steered in them the hope that for the first time in the nation’s history, they would actually be called upon to build the architects of the institution and grand norm that would govern their lives and usher in a peaceful era of peace, justice, equity and unpretentious unity. 

“The intensity of the passion with which the masses have embraced the idea of the national conference is such that skeptics have been turned into believers,” adding that “Nigerians are now only waiting for the conference to begin.”

Okurounmu said to the President: “You have in the committee’s report the essential ingredients for a successful national conference. We have no doubt that you will be endearing yourself to Nigerians by proceeding to take prompt but measured steps to put in motion the processes necessary to get the conference in the shortest possible time. 

The committee chairman dispelled media report that there was a minority report on the committee’s assignment, saying “now that our report is before you Mr President, I say quite emphatically, that we have no minority report.”

Jonathan had set up the committee on October 1, 2013 to organise a national conference to discuss the future of Nigeria.

In his nationwide broadcast to commemorate the 53rd Independence Anniversary of the country that day, he had 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.