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Federal Government Publicizes Modalities And Recommendations For National Conference

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The modalities for the proposed national conference were enumerated to the media in Abuja on Thursday by the Secretary to the Government of the federation, Anyim Pius Anyim. He was joined by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Senator Femi Okunronmu and the Secretary, Dr. Akilu Indabawa. 

Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan had during his Independence speech on October 1, 2013 set up a 13-Member Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue under Senator Femi Okurounmu. The committee which was inaugurated on the 7th of October and  tasked with the responsibility of providing a framework for the proposed national conference.

The SGF revealed that the Federal Government is satisfied with the committee as regards the discharge of their duties

“The Federal Government is satisfied that the Committee has diligently discharged its task to the nation and posterity. This is moreso, especially as one recalls the foundational principles of their assignment as espoused by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the inauguration of the Committee. On that occasion, Mr. President emphasized that, “this is a National Project, a sincere and fundamental undertaking, aimed at realistically examining and genuinely resolving, long-standing impediments to our cohesion and harmonious development as a truly United Nation”.

The former senate President also pointed out that Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan is very positive about the National conference as a step in the right direction which will strengthen the unity of Nigeria and address the major issues on the front burner as the President felt Nigerians are already discussing national challenges through the print and electronic media and that the National conference is a right step in dealing with various grievances.

Anyim also thanked Nigerians for their immense support towards the proposed national conference. He particularly thanked members of the press for sustaining a quality debate about the national dialogue

He also made it clear that the government has put into consideration the reports of the advisory committee,

“‘I am pleased to inform you that Government gave the most expeditious consideration to the Report of the Advisory Committee. In doing so, we sought explanations and guidance from the members of the Committee as at when necessary. We were also deeply encouraged by the calls by Nigerians from all works of life for us to proceed with the Report of the Committee with uttermost urgency, so that the nation can be through with the Dialogue well ahead of the approaching political season.”

He announced that the government had reached that the following recommendations after carefully deliberating the Committees’ Report be implemented:

(a)The official name of the conversation/conference shall be “The National Conference”;
(b)The National Conference shall hold in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;
(c)The National Conference shall tentatively last for 3 months and shall discuss any subject matter,except the indivisibility and indissolubility of Nigeria as a nation, therefore the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable;
(d)A Conference Management Secretariat shall be established to manage, administer and run the affairs of the Conference;
(e)Decisions at the National Conference shall be by consensus; but where it is not achievable; it shall be by 75% majority;
(f)The National Conference shall advise the Government on the legal framework, legal procedures and options for integrating the decisions and outcomes of the national conference into the Constitution and laws of the country; and
(g)The National Conference shall have a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson of unimpeachable integrity.

The Federal Government also approved that the following steps be taken towards actualizing the National Conference:

(i)30th January, 2014-Formal release of the modalities for the National Conference;
(ii)30th January, 2014 -20th February, 2014 Nomination of Delegates;
(iii)Inauguration of the Conference will follow soon after the delegate list is concluded.

Nominees could be submitted online through www.osgf.gov.ng or in hard copy to the Office of the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Federal Secretariat Complex, Phase I, 3rd Floor, Central Business District, Abuja.

The Conference will then be formally inaugurated when nominations are received and collated.

PROPOSED COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
S/N
STAKEHOLDERS
DETAILS
DELEGATES
REMARKS
1.
Elder Statesmen
1 per State and FCT
37
Nomination by President
2.
Retired Military and Security Personnel:
   i.    Military
   ii.   Police
   iii.  State Security
        and NIA
1 per Geo-political Zone
1 per Geo-political Zone
1 per Geo-political Zone
6
6
6
Nomination by Stakeholders
3.
Traditional Rulers
2 per Zone + 1 for FCT
13
Nomination by Stakeholders
4.
Retired Civil Servants
1 per Zone
6
Nomination by Stakeholders
5.
Labour Representatives:
    i.   NLC
    ii.  TUC
Nominations should reflect Geo-political and Gender Balance
12
12
Nomination by NLC
Nomination by TUC
6.
Organised Private Sector
    i.    NECA
    ii.   MAN
    iii.  NACCIMA
    iv.  NESG
2
2
2
2
Nomination by Stakeholders
7.
Nigeria Youth Organisations:
    i.    Nat. Youth Council of Nigeria
    ii.   NANS
    iii.  Other (Outstanding Youths and
         Role Models)
1 per Geo-political Zone
1 per Geo-political Zone
1 per Geo-political Zone
6
6
6
Nomination by Stakeholders
Nomination by Stakeholders
Nomination by Federal Government
8.
Women Groups:
    i.     NCWS
    ii.    Market Women Associations
    iii.   FIDA, NAWOJ, WINBIZ
2 per Geo-political Zone
1 per Geo-political Zone
2 per Organisation
12
6
6
Nomination by Stakeholders
9.
Political Parties:
    i.    PDP
    ii.    APC
    iii.   APGA
    iv.   Accord Party
    v.    Labour Party
Parties that have representation in the National Assembly
2
2
2
2
2
Nomination by Stakeholders
10.
Muslim Leaders
6
Nomination by Stakeholders
11.
Christian Leaders
6
Nomination by Stakeholders
12.
Civil Society Organisations
Ensure spread
24
Nomination by Stakeholders
13.
Nigerians in Diaspora (Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Middle East)
2 per location
8
Nomination by Stakeholders
14.
People Living with Disabilities
1 per Geo-political Zone
6
Nomination by Stakeholders
15.
Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria
2
Nomination by Stakeholders
16.
Nigeria Guild of Editors
2
Nomination by Stakeholders
17.
Nigeria Union of Journalists
2
Nomination by Stakeholders
18.
Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria
2
Nomination by Stakeholders
19.
Socio-Political/Cultural and Ethnic Nationality Groups
15 per Geo-political Zone-Nominations should reflect Ethnic and Religious Diversities.
90
Nomination by Stakeholders
20.
Professional Bodies:
NBA, NSE, CIB, NMA, NIM, NIA, ICAN, ANAN, NIPR, AAPN, NIESV, Nigerian Environmental Society, Nigeria Economic Society.
1 per Organisation
13
Nomination by Stakeholders
21.
National Academies:
    i.    Academy of Science
    ii.   Academy of Engineering
    iii.  Academy of Education
    iv.  Academy of Letters
    v.   Academy of Social Sciences
1 per Academy
5
Nomination by Stakeholders
22.
Judiciary
Persons not currently serving on the Bench
6
Nomination by President
23.
Former Political Office holders:
    i.    Former Governors
    ii.   Senators Forum
    iii.  House of Reps. Forum
    iv.  Association of Former Speakers

 

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Oluremilekun Abakada

    2014/01/31 at 11:42 am

    Hope Nigerians will rise to the challenges of moving the country forward. GOD guide the participants of the National Conference.

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