With Monday’s inauguration of the national conference planning committee by President Goodluck Jonathan, stakeholders have said the proposed conference must not exceed nine months and not more than 400 delegates.
Participants at an executive leadership seminar, convened by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation spoke on the conference in Lagos . They noted that the proposed conference can contribute to the creation of a viable Nigerian polity.
Tagged: ‘The national conference: Roadmap to Nigeria’s stability, the seminar was convened by the group’s Executive Director, Dr Olatokunbo Dosumu and chaired by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.
At the event were President, Guild of Editor Mr. Femi Adesina; Prof Ayandiji; Daniel Aina; Prof Princewill Alozie; Prof. Bolaji Aluko; Dr Chris Asoluka; Prof. Bukar Bukarambe; Mrs. Ayo Obe; Prof Ayo Olukotun; Dr. Tunde Oseni; Prof. Akin Oyebode; Prof. Itse Sagay and Alhaji Yerima Shettima.
Praising the President, the participants noted that the Senator Femi Okurounmu-led committee was skewed against the youth, who will have to live with the consequences of the decisions to be taken on the confab.
A communique signed by the participants recommended that 90 per cent of the suggested 400 delegates to the conference should emerge through an election on non-partisan basis from the ward to the zonal levels and 10 per cent nominees of professional bodies, trade unions, civil society organisations, youth/students, women and pan-Nigerian religious bodies.
They said the draft constitution that will be produced should be subjected to a national referendum not later than three months after the end of the conference.
“There should be no ‘no-go’ areas in the course of this national discourse. The fact that people are not restricted will enhance frankness of discussions as well as greater acceptability and respectability of the conference outcome.
“The conference should address true federalism as established by the founding fathers, with emphasis on granting the federating units room to develop competitively at their own pace.
“It should be channelled to build a more tolerant, egalitarian and prosperous modern state with a constitution that emphasises the protection of individual rights.
“The present state structure should be reconfigured to more manageable and sustainable units.
“The outcome of the conference should address and lay appropriate emphasis on the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people,” participants said.

njideoby: The last time I checked, there is a committee mandated to plan this NC, and this" Notice-Me foundation" was never part of it.
Who told them that Nigerians will adopt this communique of theirs?

DaLover:

Haba!!!
everrybody is free to suggest, its something that affects all nigerians