The President set the ball rolling yesterday for the convocation of “a national dialogue”.
The action drew wide reactions, with some hailing it as a step in the right direction and others condemning it as a suspicious and diversionary.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan set up a committee, led by Dr. Femi Okurounmu, to prepare the blueprint for the conference within one month after which the government will determine how the talkshop will be conducted.
Okurounmu, an engineer, is a former university teacher and a senator between 1999 and 2003.
Dr. Akilu Indabawa is the secretary of the committee.
The other members of the committee, according to a statement by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim last night, are: Prof George Obiozor, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Sen. Khairat Gwadabe, Sen. Timothy Adudu, Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), Prof. Funke Adebayo, Mrs Mairo Ahmed Amshi, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq, Alh. Dauda Birma, Mallam Buhari Bello and Mr. Tony Uranta.
The panel, which is to be inaugurated by the President on Monday, is to:
•consult expeditiously with all relevant stakeholders with a view to drawing up a feasible agenda for the proposed national dialogue/conference;
•make recommendations to government on structure and modalities for the proposed national dialogue/conference;
•make recommendations to government on how representation of various interest groups at the national dialogue/conference will be determined;
•advise on a timeframe for the national dialogue/conference;
•advise government on a legal framework for the national dialogue/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; and to
•advise government on any other matters that may be related or incidental to the proposed national dialogue/conference.”
The President’s declaration came after a similar call by Senate President David Mark for a national conference. Mark spoke on the opening day of the new Senate’s session last month.
The plan for the national dialogue is the highlight of the 20 minutes broadcast by the President to mark the 53rd Independence Anniversary.
Giving reasons for the dialogue, Jonathan said: “Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken cognisance 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 sommittee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.”
He added: “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.”
Dr. Jonathan said the role of democracy is crucial to improving the fortunes of “not just this country, but of our entire continent”. “Democratic values encourage diversity.
They encourage discourse. They encourage disagreement. This is the joy of democracy, Jonathan said, adding: “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.”
In his view, Nigerians have reasons to celebrate. He said the occasion was not ripe for scoring political points, but to focus on the future as Nigerians are already divided economically, politically and ethnically.
Jonathan said his administration had built a robust a economy and that getting the remaining job done was a matter of time.
“No matter the challenges, we have every reason to be proud. We are waging steady battle against poverty, unemployment and corruption. We have a duty as Nigerians to always put Nigeria first.
We must continue to focus on developing the nation and not selfish motives,” he said.
The President assured that his administration would not rest until the nation is wrested from terror, saying: “No cost or idea will be spared. Let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.”
He said: “Today’s Independence anniversary is unique because it is the last before we mark our centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be 100 years old as a country, following the amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria in 1914. Beloved country men and women, traditionally, the presidential address on this symbolic day has served two purposes. It has, quite rightly, been used to remind all Nigerians about our heritage. It has also allowed my predecessors and I to comment on our stewardship to the nation and make political capital out of a state occasion.
“But this year, I will not. Because, today of all days, we should not be scoring political points. On the contrary, in this last year of the first century of our Union, we should be addressing our future as a Nation and a people. I admit 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.”
The President described politics as a selfless service to the community and urged the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility to live up to the billing.
“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.”
All Nigerians, he said, should be statesmen.
The President went on: “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. Our nation is made great by the big and small efforts of regular citizens. These are the teachers and men and women in academics who inculcate the knowledge and wisdom that transform into tomorrow’s wealth; the traders and market women who tend to our everyday needs; the farmers whose labour feeds the nation; the artisans whose work ensures that our homesteads are well maintained; the doctors, pharmacists, nurses, accountants, bankers, engineers, and other professionals who add value to our lives; the sportsmen and women and those in the creative industry who bring honour and fame to our nation. And the men and women of our armed forces and security services who toil day and night so that you and I may live in a safe and secure nation.”
According to him, it is the individual and collective heroism of these Nigerians that has placed Nigeria on the path of greatness as he lamented that politics and politicians sometimes distract the people and create unnecessary tension.
“But our independence celebration is about the same people, the people of Nigeria: their industry, sense of mission and purpose, and their patience and perseverance as we navigate historical turns in our march towards prosperity and self-sufficiency. Today, I salute the people of Nigeria. My Compatriots, history has proven that nations take time to evolve. We should rejoice in our democracy because it enables us to be united by our differences, not destroyed by them. And, there is no more crucial time for us to be united than now.”
Comparing the security situation in Nigeria with that of Syria, Jonathan said: “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: industrialised 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 two 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 destabilise 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. I reassure you 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.”
“On this day, I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever political party you support -: let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.”
The President praised the Armed Forces and security agencies for their dedication and bravery in the face of grave danger, and in the name of our collective liberty.
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