President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Speech
On the Occasion of the Inauguration
of the National Advisory Committee
On our Country’s Conversation
towards a Greater Nigeria
State House, Presidential Villa,
Abuja
Monday October 7th 2013
1.
Today, we are taking historic and
concrete steps that will further strengthen our understanding, expand the
frontiers of our inclusiveness and deepen our bond as one people under God.
 |
| DR GOODLUCK JONATHAN |
2.
In my address to the Nation on the
occasion of our 53rd Independence and Golden Anniversary as a
Republic, I announced that in response to the yearnings of our people,
we had decided to take on the responsibility of decisively and genuinely
exploring the option of a National Conversation.
3.
In furtherance of this objective,
Government announced the names of some Nigerians, with wide experience from
various disciplines, to form membership of an Advisory Committee to facilitate
a most acceptable process that will bring our aspirations to fruition. Our
gathering here today is to formally inaugurate this child of necessity, the Advisory
Committee to midwife this Conversation.
4.
Permit me to very quickly review the
foundational principles that drive our action, and also address a few matters
arising. Firstly, let me emphasize that this is a National Project, a sincere
and fundamental undertaking, aimed at realistically examining and genuinely
resolving, longstanding impediments to our cohesion and harmonious
development as a truly united Nation.
5.
There is a view by some of our
people that we do not need to sit together to dialogue over the socio-political
challenges facing our country. Some believe that because we have held several
Conferences in the past, we do not need to hold another one. I was one of those
who exhibited scepticism on the need for another Conference or Dialogue. My
scepticism was borne out of the nomenclature of such a Conference, taking into
cognizance existing democratic structures that were products of the will of the
people.
6.
However, we are in a democracy, and
in a democracy; elected leaders govern at the behest of the citizenry. As
challenges emerge, season after season, leaders must respond with best
available strategies to ensure that the ship of state remains undeterred in its
voyage.
7.
Nations rise to the challenges that
each epoch presents. It is imperative therefore, that in our march to
nationhood, we have to be dynamic in our approach and response to the problems,
even as we seek solutions to them. We cannot proffer yesterday's solutions to
today's problems.
8.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
let us remind ourselves of the gains from previous Conferences and Dialogues.
The Conferences that were held before 1960 were designed to produce a political
system and a roadmap to Nigeria's independence.
9.
The Constitutional Conference of
1957 in London, for example, effectively prepared Nigeria for Independence. The
Eastern and Western regions were granted self-government in 1957, while the
Northern region got its own in 1959. The Office of the Prime Minister was
created and it was also decided that the Federal Legislature would be
Bi-cameral.
10.
Furthermore, the Constituent
Assembly of 1978 gave us the 1979 Constitution and also created the current
Presidential System with its attendant checks and balances and Fundamental
Human Rights provisions. The 1999 Constitution we operate today, is a successor
to the 1979 Constitution and records show that the 1999 Constitution also
benefited from reports and recommendations arising from the 1994/1995
Constitutional Conference.
11.
Although not enshrined in the 1999
Constitution, the idea of the
current Six Geo-Political Zones that have
become one of the avenues for equitable distribution of projects and public
offices in Nigeria was also a product of Dialogue that emerged from the
1994/1995 Constitutional Conference.
12.
The 2005 National Political Reform
Conference produced a number of key recommendations that were sent to the 5th
Assembly, which were however not perfected. In 2010, I reasoned that the
outstanding recommendations from the 2005 Conference be revisited.
13.
It was my view that Government is a
continuum and that we must find ways to strengthen the foundation of our Union.
I proceeded to set up the Justice Alpha Belgore Committee with a
mandate to review the report for possible implementation, especially the areas
where there was a common agreement. The committee worked hard and came out with
its report that included a number of Bills, which were forwarded to the
National Assembly.
14.
We believe that these Bills will
form key components of the on-going Constitutional Review by the National
Assembly.
15.
Clearly, every dialogue adds
something valuable to our evolving Nation. The urgency of a National
Conversation in the present therefore, need not be over emphasized.
16.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
as we continue to strive to build a strong and virile Nation, especially in the
midst of agitations and tensions, we cannot deny the fact that sitting down to
talk is one right step in calming down tensions and channelling our grievances,
misgivings and suggestions into more positive use for the good of our Country.
17.
Let me use this opportunity to thank
the Senate President, and the leadership and members of the National Assembly
for the support they have given to this important National Project.
18.
The concept of participatory
democracy is such that even after the people have given their representatives
the mandate to make laws and act on their behalf, there is also a space for the
governed to make further input into the political processes, without
undermining the authority of the statutory bodies. Sovereignty continues to be
with the people even as the people evolve strategies and tactics to strengthen
its foundation for the benefit of successor generations.
19.
It is this sort of collaboration
between the people and established institutions of government, that will allow
for a robust outcome that leads to greater understanding and a more cohesive
and inclusive Union. For me, there is no alternative to inclusivity, equity
and justice in a modern democratic state.
20.
I will therefore like to allay the
fears of those who think the Conference will call the integrity of Nigeria into
question. This National Discourse will strengthen our union and address issues
that are often on the front burner, and are too frequently ignored.
21.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Committee
Members, this is a serious task, and history beckons on you not to disappoint
our people. I want to charge you to consult widely before sitting down to
develop the framework that will guide and guard the proceedings of the
discussions.
22.
In the task before you, no voice is
too small and no opinion is irrelevant. Thus, the views of the sceptics
and those of the enthusiasts must be accommodated as you formulate this
all important framework. This Conversation is a People’s Conversation and I
urge you to formulate an all-inclusive process that protects the people’s
interest.
23.
Let me also urge the Advisory
Committee not only to be alive to the expectations of our people, but to bear
in mind, that what we desire is what can work for the good of our people and
country. The goal is to bequeath a better and a greater Nigeria to the
present and the generation that is to come.
24.
Ladies and Gentlemen, We have wasted
too much time and resources, bickering over sectional versions of what define
reality. This is an open-ended luxury we can no longer afford. Let us move
forward, with honest conviction and patriotic courage, to strengthen this
Republic, and get it to work better and brighter, for all of us, to the glory
of God.
25.
On this note, I hereby inaugurate
the National Advisory Committee on this significant National Assignment and
give the Committee six weeks to submit its report. I thank you for
accepting to serve and I wish you the very best of wisdom in this very
important call to duty.
26.
Congratulations. I thank you.
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