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Jonathan Releases Modalities For Convening The National Conference

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President-Jonathan

Statement By Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, On The Occasion Of The Release Of The Modalities For The National Conference To The Media On 30th January, 2014; Abuja

 

Gentlemen of the Press,

 

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this Press Conference. The purpose is to share with you, the highlights of the decisions of the Federal Government on the Report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue. I am indeed pleased and grateful that I am joined here today by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Senator Femi Okunronmu and the Secretary, Dr. Akilu Indabawa. I will make a brief statement and thereafter, all of us will be available to respond to your questions.

 

2.      You will recall that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, during his Independence Day National Broadcast, on 1st October, 2013 set up a 13-Member Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue under Senator Femi Okurounmu. The Committee which was inaugurated on 7th October 2013 was mandated to advise Government on the framework for a national dialogue by consulting widely with Nigerians. The Committee was given seven (7) terms of reference and was asked to submit its report in six (6) weeks.   The Committee met that target and in many respects, it exceeded all expectations.  At this juncture, let me once again, on behalf of the President, thank the Chairman and members of the Committee for their dedication, tenacity and courage in handling the assignment.

 

  1. 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”.

 

  1. You will also recall that the President further stressed that, “sitting down to talk is one right step in calming down tensions and channeling our grievances, misgivings and suggestions into more positive use for the good of our country”. The President stated as well that in any case, Nigerians are already talking about their national challenges through the print and electronic media. He observed that, “the only gap is that while these talks are sometimes weighty, they often lack direction”. Therefore, one of the objectives for setting up the Committee was to lend weight and direction to the National Dialogue. You may also recall that Mr. President has also allayed “the fears of those who think the National Dialogue will call the integrity of Nigeria into question”, and added that, “this National Dialogue will strengthen our union and address issues that are often on the front burner, but too frequently ignored”.

 

  1. I wish to thank all Nigerians for their enthusiastic response to the opportunity to structure a national dialogue in the manner offered by the President. We are grateful for the massive support and encouragement that the broad strata and all sections of our nation gave to the Advisory Committee in all parts of the country they visited.  Also, let me in particular, extend our deep appreciation to members of the press. All of you contributed in no small way to sustain free and robust debate on every platform, to promote the ideals of the national dialogue.
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  1. 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.

 

  1. I now have the privilege to announce that the Government, after long and mature deliberations on the Committees’ Report, accepts the following recommendations for immediate implementation:

(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.

 

8.      Furthermore, the Federal Government has since approved the next steps necessary towards actualizing the National Conference as follows:

(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.

 

9.      Pursuant to the foregoing, the modalities for the nomination of delegates to the Conference are as provided in the attached table.

 

10.    The list of nominees shall be submitted either online to 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.  Formal inauguration of the Conference shall follow as soon as the nominations are received and collated.

 

11.    Thank you.

 

 

ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GCON

Secretary to the Government of the Federation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

1   per Geo political Zone

1   per Geo political Zone

1   per Geo political Zone

1   per Geo political Zone

6

6

6

6

 

 

Nomination   by Stakeholders

 

24. Federal   Government of Nigeria 20   at least 6 shall be women

20

Nomination   by FGN
25. State   Governments and FCT 3   per State and 1 for FCT – based on Senatorial District at least one of whom shall   be a woman

109

Nomination by State Governors –   where the State Governor fails to nominate, the President shall nominate the   required number from the State.
26. Former   LGA Chairmen 1   per Geo-political Zone

6

Nomination by ALGON
27. Chairman,   Deputy Chair and Secretary Geo-political   spread to be observed

3

Nomination by President
                          TOTAL NUMBER OF DELEGATES –     492

 

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