Jonathan Pledges Result Oriented National Confab

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, National Conference 2014, News Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

Kayode Adelowokan, Lagos

Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has assured the people that his administration will partner with all stakeholders to convene a result oriented national dialogue, which outcome will add value to the process of building a stronger, united, more democratic and stable Nigeria.

Jonathan made this known in Abuja on Wednesday during the formal submission of the report by the Presidential Advisory Committee on the proposed national conference that the submission of the Report by the committee is another milestone in the march towards building a better and more cohesive society for everyone in the country.

The President averred that the discussion process is for the benefit of the entire nation and that every Nigerian, as individual or as a group, has an important role to play to ensure its success.

Dr Femi Okunrounmu, Chairman National Conference Advisory Committee

According to the President, “In spite of the circumstances of the birth of our country in 1914 and the several challenges of nation building, Nigerians have in the last 53years demonstrated the belief that our diversity notwithstanding, we are a nation with great potentials. The task before us is to build a strong and united union.

“In the last few decades, there have been issues that have challenged our determination as a people brought together by God in this great land of promise.”

He also expressed satisfaction on the wide consultation embarked by the Committee in compiling its report and recommendations, reaching out to various socio-political and economic interest groups.

“I am told that majority of Nigerians who participated in the interactive sessions that you conducted in 13 major cities across the country, expressed agreement with our commitment to an indissoluble, united and stronger Nigeria. I understand, however, that one person demanded an outright dissolution of our federalist structure.”

In order to meet the yearnings of Nigerians and provide our people the platform they desire, President Goodluck Jonathan, promised that government will study the report and act on its recommendations.

“Nation-building always comes with challenges defined by the prevailing political, economic, social and cultural mood of the people. We cannot ignore such challenges; rather we must realistically address them.

“As our founding fathers did, we must appreciate that we are one large, diverse family, under God, and take steps to understand those variables that militate against our unity and aspirations to build a better society, and confront them with collective determination to move forward, thereby making our diversity, our source of strength.

“Our democracy is still young and for us to provide life’s abundance for our people and play a noble role in world affairs, we must nurture and cultivate correct democratic values. The proposed dialogue offers this unique opportunity for us to deepen our democracy and strengthen our Nation, rather than to destroy or weaken our union.”