[size=15pt]Jonathan okays national confab *Concludes consultations, SNC to take off next year[/size]

Written by Taiwo Adisa, Abuja
Sunday, September 30, 2012


PRELIMINARY consultations scheduled to lead to the convocation of a National Conference were said to have been wrapped up in the outgone week, as President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have given the green light on the planned confab. Investigations by Sunday Tribune revealed that President Jonathan had personally led some of the secret consultations with leaders of ethnic nationalities. Only a few of the consultations were held in the open, as it emerged that the president had also constituted a team that would midwife the conference.

A source said on Saturday that contrary to reports in a section of the media, the presidency was actually spearheading talks with some leaders of ethnic nationalities for the purpose of identifying the need for the much talked about national conference. According to findings, the conference is scheduled to start early next year, while the steering committee is now fine-tuning the modalities for the planned confab. Besides a number of consultations that took place in Abuja, it was gathered that a number of top presidency hands were deployed in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna as well as the South-East and South-South states to directly hold talks with leaders of many of the ethnic nationalities. Through the series of consultations, it was learnt that the consensus of opinion is that the country should provide a platform for the hitherto silent majority to ventilate their views on how to enhance Nigeria's unity and also ensure peaceful co-existence.

A source close to the arrangement said that the president had concluded on the need to ensure that Nigerians ventilate their views within the democratic space while the fears of various ethnic groups were also addressed. It was learnt that while the issues to be discussed at the confab would be moderated towards enhancing national unity, the government was willing to hear Nigerians out. Said a source in the know: "A lot has been said about the need for national conference or even the Sovereign National Conference and the president, being a listening leader, has actually consulted with many leaders from across this country. "There came the feeling that some Nigerians think the National Assembly may not really ventilate their views on devolution of powers, federalism and derivation, and that such issues are better thrashed out at the level of a national confab where people can truly agree on what they see as fundamentals." It was also learnt that the outcome of the planned confab would be handed over to the National Assembly, which would then prepare some bills in line with some agreed issues. A source said that the confab may last for only six months. In case the national confab could not complete its assignment before the completion of the ongoing constitution amendment exercise, a source said that the government would prepare separate bills for legislative action by the National Assembly.


SOURCES: http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/front-page-articles/8677-jonathan-okays-national-confab-concludes-consultations-snc-to-take-off-next-year; http://odili.net/news/source/2012/sep/30/625.html


[size=15pt]I have two hopes. First, that GEJ unequivocally delivers on this and not renege on it. Secondly, that Nigerians adequately grab this unique opportunity for the sake of posterity.[/size]

A National Conference on its own will turn out to be a super exercise in futility and a possible criminal waste of tax-payers' money. The National Assembly, being the 'representatives of the Nigerian people' can handle that. What Nigerians want and deserve is a SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE, without no-go areas. The difference is clear. Well, we are waiting & watching. God bless Nigeria.

#yawns#
Another committee...

[size=14pt]WOW[/size]

I am very eager to know the planned logistics of this. This is VERY interesting. If this actually happens this would be a real moment for democracy in Nigeria. I just hope the crazy racist bigots don't derail it and we can actually have a proper national discourse.

Hmm. So this man actually listens? I am eager to be proved wrong about him, especially if he pulls this off somehow BEFORE he leaves office.

Moderator, please since this very sensitive topic is very important to ALL Nigerian tribes, would you consider taking it to the front page? NL'ers will love you for that AND Nigerians in general will be grateful to NL for the opportunity to contribute their 'modest' suggestions. This topic is HOT, VERY HOT! Thank you. God bless Nigeria.

This National congress should be an opportunity for Nigerians to trash out issues such as the percentage of our revenue which is used to service the government.
One of the main issues we have is an over-bloated government and the corruption it induces. Nigeria's problem is not tribalism it's corruption and a savage desire for the "national cake".

We have bad roads, poor electrical supply of energy we have bad leaders . Policemen and the armed forces are poorly rewarded compared to Legislators.

The initiators of the coup that lead to that trivialized civil war did not engage such an act due to tribalism but rather a perceived corruption in the government.

sweet_gala: This National congress should be an opportunity for Nigerians to trash out issues such as the percentage of our revenue which is used to service the government.
One of the main issues we have is an over-bloated government and the corruption it induces. Nigeria's problem is not tribalism it's corruption and a savage desire for the "national cake".

We have bad roads, poor electrical supply of energy we have bad leaders . Policemen and the armed forces are poorly rewarded compared to Legislators.

The initiators of the coup that lead to that trivialized civil war did not engage such an act due to tribalism but rather a perceived corruption in the government.

I hope it gets more fundamental than that. Nigeria's problem goes beyond infrastructue, it goes to the very fundamentals of nationhood, and we really need to discourse that and not shy away from it. Everything has to be on the table. Are all Nigerian's equal or are some more equal than the others? What I hope actually comes out of this apart from national understanding is NEW LAWS AND CLAUSES put in the constitution that addresses core issues raised (I have an idea of clauses I want in there but that's a different matter). And for heaven sakes, Nigerians for once don't be such LAZY DWEEBS, GET INVOLVED. Part of this plan should also be a publicity campaign aimed at informing the public. This is a really important issue.

Why are they bringing it to Lagos? Isnt Abuja the seat of power? Make dem no disturb us ojare with noise. When it is time to divide, we will gather and sharply make swift decisions. yawn.

[size=15pt]The Parasites in Nigeria go dey fear now . You know yourselves [/size]

Some cowards using multiple names are already afraid.

Mr.chippychappy:
[size=15pt]The Parasites in Nigeria go dey fear now . You know yourselves [/size]

This is what I am worried about. We can't go into such things with such mind sets or it will achieve NOTHING beyond a shouting match. I hope Nigerians can be more mature than what is obtainable on this forum when this time hopefully comes.

Interesting.... But is he bold/brave enough to implement whatever agreements/solutions the different "ethnic nationality" agree to at the conference If he can't do that - then there's no point wasting the scarce resources for another 'owanbe' gathering that won't bear no fruits...

The end will definitely justify the means - in this case... Till then, it's just business as usual the Naija way...

Jonathan might not be clueless after all. If he's really in support, it's a great move. Restructure or break the damned country.
There should be "no go areas", discuss everything including the very existence of Nigeria.

Mr.chippychappy:
[size=15pt]The Parasites in Nigeria go dey fear now . You know yourselves [/size]

It is a very good thing to allow Nigerians talk to each other through their ethnic and religious leaders,instead of pretending that the largely unelected kids in the national assembly were true representatives of their people.I believe Nigeria will be better as a united country,if we all agree to make representation fair for all Nigeria's peoples, decide on devolution of power,the type of system we can afford as a nation,if we really need two houses (Senate and the House of Reps) costing this nation a whopping 25% of her budget to maintain, and the number of government units States and LGAs we actually need or can afford to develop optimally.The issue of citizenship, and what are the guarantees of a Nigeria citizen and indigene.The issue of power rotation and religious tolerance will be enshrined in the constitution. If we work with the enormous resourceful gift Nigerians are endowed with,Nigeria shall become a very prosperous place.
Abacha achieved a lot as Nigeria's leader simply because he allowed Nigerian to talk.Then he realized the issues and promised to hold a national dialogue every 10 years to trash out outstanding issues.Abacha's regime had the least sectarian strife and open hatred amongst frustrated Nigerian.

President GEJ neither has the drive or intellectual background (sorry but this is true) to mid-wife a re-structuring of the Nigerian nation.

He can still achieve it if he stops the selfish, self-preserving and deceitful approach to national issues. He must, however, put the actual work in the hands of people that really have insights into the history of this crookedly constructed nation, and know the sound elements of a potentially great nation.

The man has been a great disappointment in so many areas to be trusted with such a delicate task. So, don't get your hopes up, please.

What's more, the man is likely to simply take the report and dump it on the shelves - can anyone say "Electoral Reform Panel" report?

That is the modus operandi of Nigerian governments in the past, and that is the same with President GEJ.

The beautiful ones are not yet born or in Nigeria's case the birth of the beautiful ones is met with the Herod response to the news of Jesus birth!!!

let the comedy show begin,another time wasting and money wasting tactics.nigeria always going round round the same circle of political gimmicks

Really interesting. . . In the country where good idea is rejected simply because the initiator is from a diff ethnic group.

koruji: President GEJ neither has the drive or intellectual background (sorry but this is true) to mid-wife a re-structuring of the Nigerian nation.

He can still achieve it if he stops the selfish, self-preserving and deceitful approach to national issues. He must, however, put the actual work in the hands of people that really have insights into the history of this crookedly constructed nation, and know the sound elements of a potentially great nation.

The man has been a great disappointment in so many areas to be trusted with such a delicate task. So, don't get your hopes up, please.

What's more, the man is likely to simply take the report and dump it on the shelves - can anyone say "Electoral Reform Panel" report?

That is the modus operandi of Nigerian governments in the past, and that is the same with President GEJ.

The beautiful ones are not yet born or in Nigeria's case the birth of the beautiful ones is met with the Herod response to the news of Jesus birth!!!

Damn! OBJ's National Politcal Reforms Conference comes to mind. The end will justify the means. Let's be watching.

Good nte pals, no jonathan talk for today

mymadam: A National Conference on its own will turn out to be a super exercise in futility and a possible criminal waste of tax-payers' money. The National Assembly, being the 'representatives of the Nigerian people' can handle that. What Nigerians want and deserve is a SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE, without no-go areas. The difference is clear. Well, we are waiting & watching. God bless Nigeria.

I disagree with the bolded part. Congress is made up of members in house of reps and senate. They are not all corrupt, but as an entity I don't trust that they feel the beat of the nation or have the interest of the people at heart. I think what we are actually being proposed here is what I had in mind anyway. A forum for Nigerians to discourse everything to do with out past, our present and what roads we want to take to our future. So far, I like what I am reading, especially the parts highlighted below (devolution of power, federalism, etc). The only part I am worried about is the involvement of the National Assembly in crafting the resulting bills. Nigerians should be ready to burn down Abuja if they even try to mess with the people's voice, and there should be referendums on certain issues.

Erelu_Y: [size=15pt]Jonathan okays national confab *Concludes consultations, SNC to take off next year[/size]

Written by Taiwo Adisa, Abuja
Sunday, September 30, 2012


PRELIMINARY consultations scheduled to lead to the convocation of a National Conference were said to have been wrapped up in the outgone week, as President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have given the green light on the planned confab. Investigations by Sunday Tribune revealed that President Jonathan had personally led some of the secret consultations with leaders of ethnic nationalities. Only a few of the consultations were held in the open, as it emerged that the president had also constituted a team that would midwife the conference.

A source said on Saturday that contrary to reports in a section of the media, the presidency was actually spearheading talks with some leaders of ethnic nationalities for the purpose of identifying the need for the much talked about national conference. According to findings, the conference is scheduled to start early next year, while the steering committee is now fine-tuning the modalities for the planned confab. Besides a number of consultations that took place in Abuja, it was gathered that a number of top presidency hands were deployed in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna as well as the South-East and South-South states to directly hold talks with leaders of many of the ethnic nationalities. Through the series of consultations, it was learnt that the consensus of opinion is that the country should provide a platform for the hitherto silent majority to ventilate their views on how to enhance Nigeria's unity and also ensure peaceful co-existence.

A source close to the arrangement said that the president had concluded on the need to ensure that Nigerians ventilate their views within the democratic space while the fears of various ethnic groups were also addressed. It was learnt that while the issues to be discussed at the confab would be moderated towards enhancing national unity, the government was willing to hear Nigerians out. Said a source in the know: "A lot has been said about the need for national conference or even the Sovereign National Conference and the president, being a listening leader, has actually consulted with many leaders from across this country. " There came the feeling that some Nigerians think the National Assembly may not really ventilate their views on devolution of powers, federalism and derivation, and that such issues are better thrashed out at the level of a national confab where people can truly agree on what they see as fundamentals." It was also learnt that the outcome of the planned confab would be handed over to the National Assembly, which would then prepare some bills in line with some agreed issues. A source said that the confab may last for only six months. In case the national confab could not complete its assignment before the completion of the ongoing constitution amendment exercise, a source said that the government would prepare separate bills for legislative action by the National Assembly.


SOURCES: http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/front-page-articles/8677-jonathan-okays-national-confab-concludes-consultations-snc-to-take-off-next-year; http://odili.net/news/source/2012/sep/30/625.html


[size=15pt]I have two hopes. First, that GEJ unequivocally delivers on this and not renege on it. Secondly, that Nigerians adequately grab this unique opportunity for the sake of posterity.[/size]

Man, sometimes, i be like this man does something good and he is really up to something good. but the again i rem 1960s till date, all of them are all the same, nothing comes out of their plans. Absolutely nothing, i hope this one goes good, but i know it wont anyways. i knw 80 percent of yall feel the same way that i feel sha

As one of my mentors said earlier today,

"Naija, your solution cannot be solved by those who caused the problem".

Let's just wait and see

INTERESTING!!! This is one of the boldest steps taken by this government so far. My wish is that we all reap the positive outcome of this conference.

,,

The truth is SNC at this time is the best thing to happen to this premature delivered baby called Nigeria. I'm very optimistic this will bring to the end this present rubbish (Nigeria) or a better arrangement that one can proudely call my country. I will always be very willing to give support to this any time. Great one GEJ.

Back in 1993

The Lagos-based Daily Independent Newspaper on Thursday, June 12, 2003, published what it desperately commended to its readers as an important scoop on the "agenda and blueprint" of the "new administration" of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In one of its leading articles euphorically entitled "Obasanjo moves to restructure Nigeria - unfolds blueprint on new political order," the paper claimed that its investigation had uncovered a "soon-to-be-unveiled fresh blueprint, kept to his (president's) chest all this while…" which contained the president's "moves to convene a national conference for the restructuring of the nation."

In an apparent effort to contribute its quota towards the seeming all-out efforts by some sections of the Nigerian press to market so as to legitimize the legitimacy-challenged administration of the president of Nigeria, the Daily Independent described this yet-to-be-revealed "blueprint" as the president's "boldest and most comprehensive political agenda in his trimester presidency so far." With these words the paper wetted the appetite of its readers towards the revelation of the so-called "boldest and most comprehensive political agenda" of the president of Nigeria.

I suspect the same thing which happened to OBJ's big SNC plans or even worse will happen to this plan of GEJ's, that is even if the story is true.

I'm sorry to say that expecting big ideas such as conducting a SNC from GEJ is like expecting Rick Ross to miraculously outrun Mr. Usain Bolt in a 100meter race.

I dey laugh o.

FAST-LINK:
Really interesting. . . In the country where good idea is rejected simply because the initiator is from a diff ethnic group.

abi? Wetin consign me? Na siddon dey look I dey so!

ndu_chucks: Back in 1993



I suspect the same thing which happened to OBJ's big SNC plans or even worse will happen to this plan of GEJ's, that is even if the story is true.

I'm sorry to say that expecting big ideas such as conducting a SNC from GEJ is like expecting Rick Ross to miraculously outrun Mr. Usain Bolt in a 100meter race.

I dey laugh o.

lol

what of the one done during OBJ's reign? have we addressed those issues?

U guys are pathetic. What do most of u use in thinking before responding to a post? Its obvious it not your brain. For years you all have been shouting for National conference now it is in d offing and your tune have changed again. Wow!!! I think you should mke up ur mind what u really want and stop this eternal hatred for anything initiated by this administration. The truth is your hatred wont erase the fact that GEJ is the president, the earlier you accept that and channel your energies to something positive including positive criticism where necessary, the better for the country and your blood pressure.

.

This might end up been marred by some kind of bogus demands that would come from the stakeholders.