NATIONAL CONFERENCE Progress Report 19-05-2014 Plenary resumed today after two weeks of committee deliberations. The minute of the last meeting on April 17th was read to the delegates after which announcements were made. The chairman Justice Idris Legbo KUTIGI announced the death of Dr. Mohammed JUMARI, who died on Monday last week and delegate stood in one minutes silence to honour the dead. There were announcement of the replacements of the deceased. And then, the chairman went on to discuss issues arising. OBSERVATIONS In the discussion of urgent matters, the following observations occurred: Prof. Eddy ERHAGBE called the attention of the delegates to the issue of the missing Chibok girls. He said it will be appropriate for the National Conference to add their voice in appreciating the international community for their efforts. Hon. Orok Otu DUKE, representing South-South also moved the same motion; he said there is a need to acknowledge the present security challenges in the country. He also stressed that the conference must work to support the present effort of the government in solving the insecurity challenges in the country. Duke added that there is a need for the conference to acknowledge the present precarious security situation and then take urgent steps to remedy it. He also stressed that the National Conference should add their voice in supporting the current bring back the girls’ effort being carried out all over the world. Hon. (Chief) Obi ANOLIEFO added his support to the views of others; he said that one affirmation he wants from the conference is that he wants the conference to appreciate the effort of the international community for the effort they have contributed in the current search for the missing Chibok girls. Femi FALANA, SAN, opposed the views of Hon. (Chief) Obi ANOLIEFO. He said that the national conference should not pass a resolution of appreciation supporting the international community, because it is the duty of the security agencies to protect the lives and property of its citizens. He noted that about three trillion naira has been budgeted on the acquisition of ammunitions and equipment for the security agencies. He emphasised that instead, the president should set up a committee to investigate what happened to the fund. Iyom Josephine ANENIH said that despite the opinion of Femi FALANA, SAN, it is necessary that international community coming to the aid of Nigerians on the issue of the Chibok girls must be acknowledged and appreciated. She went ahead to add that the women and mothers should also be appreciated because they were the ones who made the international community to be aware of the campaign. Rt. Hon. (Chief) Anayo NNEBE supported the amendment of Hon. (Chief) Obi ANOLIEFO. He said that the fact that the military has been saddled with the responsibility of the security of the country doesn’t mean they have not been able to contain the security challenges facing the country. He added that against the opinion of Femi Falana, the conference should appreciate and acknowledge the present efforts of all the country that has come to the aid of Nigeria in the case of the missing Chibok girls. He quoted that “He whose house in burning does not have time to run after a rat” Chief Mike AHAMBA, SAN remarked that in countries where there has been trans-border terrorism, such countries have not been able to fight terrorism alone. He stressed that may the military should go into these neighbouring countries where the girls could be and find them. He added that Nigerians must have attitudinal change, noting that the soldiers fighting for this country have most times paid the supreme price with their lives, and yet Nigerians are behaving as if there is nothing being done about the issue. He supported that the conference should appreciate and acknowledge those that have volunteered on their own. The chairman then called for the presentation of committee reports. PRESENTATION OF REPORTS The chairman handed over to the secretary to brief delegates on how the committee reports will be submitted. Dr. (Mrs.) Valerie AZINGE said that the chairman of the committees should come and present the committee reports to the secretariat and, in their absence, they should be represented by the deputy chairman. She added that in committees where there are two chairmen, both will present the report. The various committees who had their report ready presented their reports to the secretariats while the others whose reports were not ready had their report coming up as at the time others were submitting. After the collection of the reports, the chairman of the conference told the delegates the pattern the conference will follow in debating the recommendations of the various committees. The chairman said that they intend to give the chairman of each committee’s time to do a short presentation on how their committee arrived at their recommendation before others can be allowed to contribute. There were views, opinions and objection to the suggestion of the chairman. Prof. Olabisi AINA reiterated the delegates should be given time to read through the report of various committees so that they can contribute meaningfully during the deliberations on the recommendations. He suggested that for the sake of orderliness during the deliberations on the recommendations, the secretariat should open a register for those that will like to comment on the recommendation of each committee given to them. Adding his opinion to that of others was High Chief Dr. Aleogho Raymond DOKPESI, PhD, OFR who said although the conference seems to have decided on the way delegates are to comments, but in support of that position, it is will be fair that the procedure be closely looked at. He added that writing down names and adding that it will be at the discretion of the chairman for people to be allowed to talk may cause in-orderliness. He said that there may be a need to reduce the number of hours for a break so that people can make meaningful contribution. He noted that two minutes will not be enough for each delegate and there should be more time given to them. There were other meaningful contributions. The chairman Justice Idris Legbo KUTIGI said that the three committees that will have their reports deliberated on Wednesday are: • Committee on Land Tenure and National Boundaries • Committee on Environment • Committee on Religion • Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Related Matters The deputy chairman moved for adjournment and the meeting was adjourned to Wednesday by 10am.
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 16:47:30 +0000
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