LAGOS — Eminent Nigerians converged, yesterday, on Lagos and warned against further delay in the convocation of a national dialogue. They gave the warning at the inaugural meeting of the National Dialogue Steering Committee convened by the National Summit Group, NSG.
Prominent Nigerians present at the meeting include Second Republic Presidential Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai; protem chairman of the group and former Minister of Information, Chief John Nwodo; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah; Alhaja Ganiyat Fawehinmi; founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Fredrick Fasehun; former Minister of Avaition, Alabo Graham Douglas; former Secretary General of Yoruba Council of Elders, Chief Yinka Olajide and Chief Ralph Obiora among others. Representatives from each of the six geo-political zones were unanimous on the need to convene a national dialogue.
From left Alabo Graham-Douglas, South South Delegate, National Dialogue Steering Committee; Mr. Tony Uranta, Executive Secretary, National Summit Group; Mr. John Nwodo, former Minister of Information and moderator and Alhaji Tanko Yakassai representing Arewa Consultative Forum at the Inaugural National meeting of National Dialogue Steering Committee Convened by National Summit Group. in Lagos on Wednesday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele
Insecurity must be addressed—Uranta
In his remarks, secretary of the NSG, Mr Tony Uranta, expressed worry over security situation in the country and stressed the need to address such issues.
In addition, he explained that the steering committee was facilitated to convene a national dialogue aimed at addressing pressing issues facing the country.
Current structure threatens unity —Nwodo
Protem chairman of the NSG, Chief John Nwodo, argued that “as long as the present structure of the Nigerian nation persists, it will threaten the unity, peace and rapid development in the country.”
Speaking further, Nwodo explained that the inaugural meeting of the steering committee would address issues such as “a programme of activities to realise our agreed objective; a strategy for raising funds for the sustainance of the activities of the steering committee that will give it objectivity; provide identification of groups with similar objectives as ways and means of collaborating with such groups.”
Expressing worry over the growing insecurity in the country, the former minister said: “As we meet today (yesterday), the security situation which worried us at our first meeting, has worsened. Our national situation is a clarion call for all patriotic Nigerians to rise and make meaningful contributions for a peaceful and speedy resolution of our national crisis.”
We welcome a national dialogue—Yakassai
Tanko Yakassai who spoke on behalf of the North-West, threw his weight behind the convocation of a national dialogue but pointed out that it must be done in conformity with the 1999 Constitution.
The elder statesman, who maintained that the country had a lot to gain if it convenes a national conference said the North-West was prepared to give its full support for any conference that would address the problems facing the country.
He said: “We are in support of a national dialogue; we welcome a national dialogue because Nigeria has everything to gain.”
1999 Constitution is defective —Fasehun
On his part, founder of OPC, Dr Fredrick Fasehun, who spoke for the South West, picked holes in the 1999 Constitution, describing it as defective. While he advocated a Peoples Constitution, he said: “You cannot continue to operate on a defective constitution. Nigeria cannot continue to operate a constitution put together by a few military officers. We need a people’s constitution because the 1999 Constitution cannot represent the wishes of Nigerians.”
We must stop rhetorics—Graham Douglas
Speaking on behalf of the South-South zone, Alabo Graham Douglas said it was time Nigerians stopped rhetorics and convened a national conference to restructure the country.
According to him, “we must immediately stop rhetorics and begin the process of restructuring the nation. The Federal Government should spearhead the national dialogue as it has the capacity of getting everybody involved.”
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