Upcoming National Conference elicits mixed feelings in Oyo State

[The InfoStrides]

Oyo State Residents have expressed their opinions on the need for the proposed Committee on National Conference to focus its agenda towards addressing germane issues such as those that have kept Nigeria in bondage for a long time. This followed the inauguration of the Committee by President Goodluck Jonathan lately. 

Some of the issues suggested as front burner comprise: 'A true federal system of government which will strengthen the component states and give the federal government powers on immigration and external relations; national currency and central banking as well as military and other sundries matter that will not hinder internal growth ratio in the component states.

In an interaction between Information Correspondents and the public on the issue, a retired broadcaster and publisher of a community newspaper in Oyo State, Okiki Abiola expressed delight for President Goodluck Jonathan's gesture in the conference in view of the impending centenary celebration of the amalgamation of Nigeria.

He added that the review of Nigeria's structure is long overdue and care must be taken to address crucial issues that will not only unite the country more but make it realise its potentials in the West African Sub-region and the world. 

Okiki  Abiola who lamented the state of industrial and infrastructural development in Nigeria in spite of its abundant human and material resources, urged the Federal Government to permit Nigerian youths to actively participate in the national debate to bring about a secured future for them. He noted that so many people have lost hope in the corporate existence of Nigeria as a result of what he described as "horrible corruption" bedeviling the country. He also inferred that conferees should be selected and elected from ward platforms through local councils, federal constituencies, states and geo-political zones. "If divergent views did not make the conference sovereign, its decisions should be subjected to national referendum," he said.

Also responding, a directorate staff of one of the federal government agencies opined that the conference should be made sovereign so as to free the country of another diversionary referendum. 'The decisions of the conference, he stated should be final because its members are duly elected'. Adding, the conference should not be financed by the government except in the provision of accommodation and feeding at the Abuja venue of the conference. Various communities and States should provide the necessary logistics for their representatives at the conference.

In his remarks, Moshood Erubami, an Ibadan-based activist queried the timing of the conference and reasoned that it ought to be sovereign if the country is to move forward. "Participants should be duly elected and even the members of the National and State Houses of Assembly who are interested in the conference should be allowed to present themselves for election at their various local standings," he suggested.

Other undisclosed respondents to questions expressed divergent views; saying the proposed conference is meant to redirect the attention of Nigerians and the international community from the real problems of mass unemployment, insecurity, corruption and poverty which are plaguing the nation. They indicated that the Nigerian Government has failed to implement the recommendations of previous committees established to look into varied areas of national endeavours.

A faction of them who agitated for the conference stressed the urgent need to look into planning of the federation in regards to the desires, visions and missions of major ethnic groups in Nigeria, in order to forge ahead without recourse to arm struggle.  



Source: Upcoming National Conference elicits mixed feelings in Oyo State